An integrated multiple quantum well Y-junction optical switch for ultrafast consecutive switching

We report femtosecond optical switching in a strip-loaded Y-junction device fabricated on a multiple quantum well (MQW) structure. The MQW heterostructure consisted of 38 periods of GaAs-Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As quantum well and barrier layers. The Y-junction switch can function as an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer in time division multiplexed (TDM) systems as well as a key component for matrix switches in asynchronous transmission mode (ATM) network systems. A comparison of the switching behavior on the orientation of the control pulse polarization has also been undertaken and the results are discussed.