Stable spatial solitons in semiconductor optical amplifiers

Abstract

The existence of stable dissipative spatial solitons at low intensities in patterned electrode semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) is predicted theoretically. In contrast to conventional SOAs, this system may support stable solitons because the inherent saturating losses provide subcritical bifurcations for both the plane-wave and the soliton solution.

Transverse dynamics in cavity nonlinear optics (2000–2003)

“…The existence of stable dissipative spatial solitons at low intensities in patterned electrode semiconductor optical amplifiers has been predicted theoretically [146] and the observation reported soon afterwards [147].…”

Discrete Ginzburg-Landau Solitons

“…The real parts of p and q represent the strengths of the cubic and quintic nonlinearities of the system, while , p i , q i are the linear and nonlinear gain/loss coefficients. Within the context of nonlinear optics, the DGL equation can arise in the description of semiconductor laser arrays [21] and in semiconductor optical amplifiers [31] (due to applying a refractive index modulation along the crystal), where the quintic term can account for the gain/nonlinearity saturation of the lasing medium. The DGL equation can also describe the dynamics of an open Bose-Einstein condensate.…”

Stable Dissipative Solitons in Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers

“…Suppression of filament formation, which is a serious problem in broad area semiconductor devices as a result of carrier-induced refractive index changes [8][9][10], is another potential field of application for this new kind of dissipative solitons. Although there were some preliminary self-trapping experiments in SOAs [11], which have subsequently been proven to be unstable systems for soliton generation [12], to the best of our knowledge spatial solitons in semiconductor amplifiers have not been previously reported. The stability of solitons is determined by the details of the operating conditions [13][14][15].…”

“…Thus the system gives a net gain or loss depending on the input intensity, and solitons are solutions where gain and loss are balanced. Previously we have shown theoretically that stable dissipative solitons should exist in bulk semiconductor optical amplifiers using a patterned electrode device [12]. These amplifiers have periodic electrodes (for electrical pumping) aligned perpendicular to the propagation direction (see inset of Fig.…”