Ultrafast gain dynamics in 1.5 μm multiple quantum well optical amplifiers

Abstract

Following gain saturation by a short pulse, the gain recovery process in multiple quantum well optical amplifiers includes contributions from carriers occupying states with energies above the depleted states within the well, from carriers stored in the barrier layers, which serve as carrier reservoirs, and from conventional Auger recombination. Gain recovery caused by carriers from the reservoirs is rapid (7 ps) and can be made to dominate the slower (Auger) recovery process.