THz-Assisted Instantaneous Gain Switching in Quantum Dot Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

A new concept of instantaneous gain switching in quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifier (QD-SOA) is introduced in this letter. Based on numerical modeling, instantaneous gain dynamics of a QD-SOA due to modulation of quantum confinement potential of quantum dots with applied terahertz (THz) electric field is described and gain clamping phenomenon is discussed. The proposed gain switching mechanism is promising for THz to optical wavelength conversion in THz communication scenarios.