All-optical low-power switch based on III-V/SOI heterogeneous integration

We propose an integrated all-optical switch with a low operating power that allows continuous wave operation. To achieve switching in an efficient way, we use the free carrier dispersion effect in a III-V multi-quantum well layer bonded on a silicon on insulator ring resonator. Using Mach-Zehnder interferometers for coupling light in and out the ring, we theoretically show that switching with an extinction ratio of 10 dB at a pump power of only 300 muW is achievable.