All-optical wavelength converter and switch based on electromagnetically induced transparency

We propose a method for all-optical switching and wavelength conversion using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). We discuss the mechanism for the transfer of information in this scheme and determine the conditions for which NxN wavelength conversion can be realized. We compare the properties and limits of an EIT-based switch to conventional wavelength converters. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)03022-9].