All-optical switching using microring resonators including Quantum-Dots

In this article a Quantum Dots based method is proposed to enhance the nonlinear switching properties of a bulk GaAs/AlGaAs microring resonator. Switching is accomplished in the pump and probe configuration. Refractive index changes in the microring due to free carriers generated by two photon absorption are used to switch the probe beam in and out of resonance. It has been concluded that quantum dot doping would lead to higher nonlinearity and faster evolution in refractive index variation. A control pulse is applied to the structure to control the carrier lifetime and therefore manage the switching time.