Ultrafast, multi-THz-detuning, third-order frequency conversion insemiconductor quantum-well waveguides

The near-band-edge resonance nonlinearity of semiconductor quantum wells has been used to obtain nondegenerate four-wave mixing over a multi-THz frequency detuning range, with large conversion efficiencies. In 1-mm-long, passive AlGaAs/GaAs single-quantum-well waveguides, conversion efficiencies up to -8.5 dB with relatively flat response have been observed over a 7.5-THz range (2.2% of the band gap). The nonlinearity is ultrafast and primarily reactive. The potential application of this technique to wavelength shifting devices is discussed