All-Optical Polarization Switching in Fibers

There has been recent progress in demonstrating the potential of all-optical devices for the switching of information on picosecond and subpicosecond time scales. In this paper we review the basic concepts of generic guided wave all-optical devices and discuss the material requirements. Fibers currently provide one of the best waveguiding media for all-optical switching. Two recent experiments on polarization switching in fibers are described, and the limitations on all-optical switching which they imply are discussed.