Multiple quantum well optical nonlinearities, bistability from increasing absorption and the self electro-optic effect device.

This paper briefly reviews the nonlinear optical and electro- optical properties and applications of GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum wells, all of which are compatible with laser diodes and/or semiconductor electronics. They show large nonlinear absorption and refraction (associated with their strong room- temperature exciton resonances) applicable to all-optical devices. They also show large electroabsorptive effects, some of which are unique to the quantum wells at any temperature, which are so strong that optical modulators can be made with micron dimensions.