Bistable all-optical devices based on nonlinear epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials

Abstract: Non-linear and bistable optical systems are a key enabling technology for the next generation optical networks and photonic neural systems with many potential applications in optical logic and information processing. Here, we propose a novel bistable resonator-free all-optical waveguide device based on indium tin oxide as nonlinear epsilon-near-zero material providing a cost-efficient and high-performance binarity photonic platform. The salient features of the proposed device are compatibility with silicon photonics, enabling sub-picosecond operation speeds with moderate switching power. The device can act as an optical analogue of memristor or thyristor and can become an enabling element of photonic neural networks not requiring OEO conversions.