Investigation and optimization of all-optical switches based on transverse optical patterns in VCSELs by modifying active medium parameters

This paper investigates switching behavior of all optical switches that operate based on control of transverse optical patterns in semiconductor microresonators in active configuration. In this way effects of nonradiative recombination rate of carriers, τr, and refractive index of active medium on system behavior have been studied. Results of simulations indicated that with increase of τr, the amplitude ratio of output field has been increased, which is an important approach for cascade arrangement of switches. On the other hand it has been shown that with the use of an active medium with lower refractive index it would be possible to switch the target patterns with very small control beam, this result lead us to all optical switches which operate in very low light levels.