Fast nonlinear all-optical switching in a compact semiconductor microring resonator

We report the first experimental observations and measurements of nonlinear all-optical switching in GaAs/AlGaAs microring resonators. The carrier-induced nonlinear switching phenomenon is demonstrated in the pump-and-probe configuration. Measured data are in good agreement with the theory. The micro-resonators used in this study, comprise of a single 10 /spl mu/m radius GaAs/AlGaAs microring vertically coupled to a straight waveguide. These microrings have quality factors of 10,000 and an estimated field enhancement factor of about 4.