Reflectivity control via second-order interaction process in one-dimensional photonic band-gap structures

We exploit the nonlinear reflectivity of a pulse at the fundamental frequency induced by a second harmonic signal in one-dimensional photonic band gap structures for applications to fast control of light-by-light and all optical signal processing. We find that the enhancement of nonlinear gain near the band edge, coupled with a suitable choice of the relative phases between the input pulses, leads to significant reflectivity and transmittivity changes of the input pump pulse for structures only a few microns in length. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.