Nonlinear processes responsible for nondegenerate four-wave mixing in quantum-dot optical amplifiers

Wavelength conversion using nondegenerate four-wave mixing in quantum-dot optical amplifiers is investigated. From the detuning frequency dependence of chi((3)), derived from the conversion efficiency, we consider that, within the range of detuning in the experiment, spectral-hole burning and carrier heating are responsible, and that their time constants, i.e., carrier relaxation time to the ground state and the phonon scattering time, are in the range of 60-140 and 200-400 fs, respectively. This indicates that the carrier supply to the ground level via relaxation from the higher levels is very fast and that a broad conversion bandwidth comparable to that of quantum-well devices is ensured. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)02438-4].