Femtosecond-scale all-optical switching in oxyfluorogallate glass induced by nonlinear multiphoton absorption

Herein, all-optical switching based on a new type of oxyfluorogallate glass with high switching efficiency and ultrafast response time was reported in the near-infrared wavelength range, which is of great importance for applications in optical telecommunication. The structural and optical properties, as well as the nonlinear optical effects, of the oxyfluorogallate glass were investigated, demonstrating a good figure of merit applicable to nonlinear optical devices. Using pump-probe experiments, we found that the switching time in the oxyfluorogallate glass due to nonlinear multiphoton absorption was approximately 350 fs, which was limited by the pulse duration of the near-infrared probe pulse. Additionally, the largest on-off amplitude of this optical switching device could reach similar to 12%, which is in sharp contrast to that of quartz glass. Thus, this study provides a suitable material for the manufacture of integrated photonic devices, which are crucial for promoting the application of glass on-chip photonics.

Automated summary

This study reported an all-optical switch based on a new oxyfluorogallate glass with high efficiency and fast response time in the near-infrared wavelength range, crucial for optical telecommunication applications. The oxyfluorogallate glass showed good nonlinear optical properties, making it a suitable material for nonlinear optical devices. The switch time of the oxyfluorogallate glass due to nonlinear multiphoton absorption was found to be approximately 350 fs, with a maximum on-off amplitude of about 12%, making it a promising material for integrated photonic devices.