Abstract
Digital operation of an all-optical intensity switch is demonstrated in a two-mode interferometer constructed from ytterbium-doped fiber. We clamp the resonantly enhanced phase shift responsible for the switching by allowing the fiber to lase, resulting in a bistable, digital response. The degree of phase shift at the clamping point can be controlled by adjustment of the laser threshold, and for complete switching (phase shift of ) the power length product was estimated to be . Isolation of 11 dB was observed, with switching speed limited by the relaxation time of ytterbium.
© 1998 Optical Society of America
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