Fast optical switching and amplification in a multiple quantum well vertical microcavity

Abstract

A major advance in the processing of optical signals in recent years has been the development of innovative devices based on vertical microcavity structures such as surface emitting lasers, bistable optical switches and modulators. These devices have attracted a lot of attention as they are highly suitable for bidimensional integration allowing fast parallel processing of information[1]. However such a bidimensional optical processing could be performed much more easily if another important function i.e amplification could be achieved in a practical way.