Ultrafast optical switching and data encoding on synthesized light fields

Modern electronics are founded on switching the electrical signal by radio frequency electromagnetic fields on the nanosecond time scale, limiting the information processing to the gigahertz speed. Recently, optical switch-es have been demonstrated using terahertz and ultrafast laser pulses to control the electrical signal and enhance the switching speed to the picosecond and a few hundred femtoseconds time scale. Here, we exploit the reflec-tivity modulation of the fused silica dielectric system in a strong light field to demonstrate the optical switching (ON/OFF) with attosecond time resolution. Moreover, we present the capability of controlling the optical switch-ing signal with complex synthesized fields of ultrashort laser pulses for data binary encoding. This work paves the way for establishing optical switches and light-based electronics with petahertz speeds, several orders of magnitude faster than the current semiconductor-based electronics, opening a new realm in information tech-nology, optical communications, and photonic processor technologies.

Automated summary

Modern electronics switch electrical signals using radio frequency electromagnetic fields on the nanosecond time scale, limiting the speed to gigahertz. Optical switches using terahertz and ultrafast laser pulses have recently been developed, increasing the switching speed to picoseconds and femtoseconds. This study demonstrates optical switching with attosecond resolution using the reflectivity modulation of a fused silica dielectric system, and shows the capability of controlling the switching signal using synthesized laser pulses for binary encoding. The results pave the way for optical switches and light-based electronics with petahertz speeds, significantly faster than current semiconductor-based electronics, and have important implications for information technology, optical communications, and photonic processor technologies.