Characterization of femtosecond dye lasers and GaAs/A1GaAs multiple quantum well pin structures

Abstract

In the field of nonlinear optics and ultrafast phenomena, we need ultrashort optical pulses (less than a few tens of picoseconds, 10-12 seconds, in duration) as tools to probe ultrafast dynamics and to provide the high pea_k intensities to induce optical nonlinearities in materials and devices. We have studied the physical mechanisms of ultrashort optical pulse shaping in femtosecond, 10-15 sec, dye laser systems and also in an optical pulse compressor. To generate bandwidth-limited optical short pulses from the femtosecond laser system, we need to balance the group velocity dispersion, self-phase modulation, saturable absorption, and saturable gain. We have built a femtosecond dye laser system using this concept and obtained sub-100 femtosecond optical pulses. Multiple quantum well (MOW) semiconductors have new physical properties that are not present in bulk semiconductors mainly due to quantum size and excitonic effects at room temperature. Furthermore, a MOW with an applied electric field normal to the layers shows a OCSE ( quantum confined Stark effect) which has important implications for both electronic and optical devices. GaAs/ AlGaAs MOW pin structures with an applied reverse bias show the OCSE and can be used as tunable detectors, optical modulators, or SEEDs (self electro-optic devices). Using ultrashort pulses, we have performed time resolved measurements to study the nature of the carrier dynamics in these MOW devices. This information provides the fundamental switching speed limit of these devices.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1992

Semester

Spring

Advisor

VanStryland, Eric

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering

Department

Electrical Engineering

Format

PDF

Pages

175 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0029859

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Engineering; Engineering -- Dissertations, Academic

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