All-Optical Switching via Second Harmonic Generation in a Nonlinearly Asymmetric Directional Coupler

G. Assanto, A. Laureti-Palma, C. Sibilia, and M. Bertolotti

Opt. Commun. 110, 599-603 (1994)

Abstract:

Taking advantage of the nonlinear phase-shift obtainable via up- and down-conversion of a beam to and from its second-harmonic, an efficient all-optical switch can be realized adopting the standard directional coupler configuration with strong nonlinear asimmetry. Using coupled-mode theory we numerically demonstrate power switching in a half-beat length coupler with remarkable functional characteristics in a wide range of parameters.