Optical limiting and free-carrier dynamics in a periodic semiconductor waveguide

We experimentally and numerically analyze the nonlinear distributed coupling dynamics of a model silicon-on-insulator waveguide-grating structure. At a wavelength of λ = 1.064 μm, temporal pulse profile changes are attributed to local and global nonlinear interactions between the incident and the guided fields. Optical limiting and underdamped oscillations result, owing to nonlinear spatial interference and detuning. Material processes such as free-carrier effects, carrier heating, and lattice heating are considered in the numerical analysis of the system.