Abstract We propose an all-optical switch of the Mach－Zehnder interferometer type using an active nonlinear ring resonator and analyse the significance of the parameter A, a product of gain and total loss, for performing an ideal 1 by 2 switch. We found that in the range of $1-\kappa\leq A\leq \sqrt{1-\kappa}$, the increment of A can compensate the losses inside the ring, therefore increase the finesse of the ring and enhance the nonlinearity contribution to reduce the switching power threshold effectively. We also emphasize the importance of the initial switching point and discuss the feasibility of utilizing a high-nonlinear fibre in the ring.
Received: 27 August 2003
Revised: 06 November 2003
Accepted manuscript online:
PACS:
42.65.Pc
(Optical bistability, multistability, and switching, including local field effects)
Fund: Project supported by the Scientific Research Foundation of Harbin Institute of Technology (Grant No HIT200250).
Cite this article:
Li Jun-Qing (李俊庆), Alireza Bananej, Li Qiang-Hua (励强华), Chen Qiang (陈强), Li Chun-Fei (李淳飞) An all-optical switch of Mach－Zehnder interferometer type using an active fibre ring resonator 2004 Chinese Physics 13 1046
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