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D. A. B. Miller, "Multiple Quantum Well
Optical Nonlinearities: Bistability from Increasing Absorption and the Self Electro-Optic
Device," Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A313, 239-244 (1985). Briefly
reviews the nonlinear optical and electro-optical properties and applications of
GaAs-AlGaAs multiple quantum wells, all of which are compatible with laser diodes or
semiconductor electronics or both. They show large nonlinear absorption and refraction
(associated with their strong room-temperature exciton resonances) applicable to
all-optical devices. They also show large electroabsorptive effects, some of which are
unique to the quantum wells at any temperature, which are so strong that optical
modulators can be made with micrometre dimensions. A new class of optical bistability (due
to increasing absorption) is also reviewed; combination of this with the electroabsorptive
effects enables a new mirrorless optical switch called a self-electro-optic effect device
(SEED), which sets a new standard for optical switching energies, with energy densities
reduced by a factor of six by comparison to even the best resonant cavity devices |