Time-to-space conversion of Tbits/s optical pulses using a self-organized quantum-well material

Abstract

We report a time-to-space conversion technique using a material which has a large ${\chi }^{\text{(3)}}$ ${\text{(≃10}}^{\text{−6}} \mathrm{esu})$ and a fast response time (<7 ps) at room temperature. The material is a self-organized quantum-well system consisting of inorganic well layers and organic barrier layers. We achieve a high conversion sensitivity even for nJ-order optical pulses. We demonstrate serial-to-parallel conversion of nJ-order Tbits/s signals at room temperature with conversion rates of 140 GHz.