All-optical switching in planar semiconductor microcavities

TL;DR

This paper proposes an all-optical switching mechanism in planar semiconductor microcavities utilizing four-wave-mixing instabilities, adapting atomic vapor techniques to semiconductor systems for potential optical computing applications.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel all-optical switching scheme in semiconductor microcavities based on a microscopic many-particle theory, extending atomic vapor methods to solid-state systems.

Findings

Demonstrates feasibility of optical switching in semiconductor microcavities

Identifies four-wave-mixing instabilities as the switching mechanism

Provides theoretical framework for experimental realization

Abstract

Using a microscopic many-particle theory, we propose all-optical switching in planar semiconductor microcavities where a weak beam switches a stronger signal. Based on four-wave-mixing instabilities, the general scheme is a semiconductor adaptation of a recently demonstrated switch in an atomic vapor [Dawes et al., Science 308, 672 (2005)].