An all-optical switch based on a one-dimensional layered structure with defocusing nonlinearity

The feasibility of an optical switch of femtosecond range controlled by a femtosecond light pulse acting on a nonlinear one-dimensional photonic crystal (a layered one-dimensional periodic structure) is demonstrated by computer simulation. The crystal comprises linear and weakly defocusing layers. It is shown that switching occurs when the peak intensity of the initial pulse exceeds a certain threshold value due to the dependence of the transmission-reflection bands of the photonic crystal on the nonlinearity of the medium.