Coherent transients in semiconductor nanostructures as a basis for optical logical operations

We propose an approach to realization of all-optical logical operations based on the nonlinear dynamics of an ensemble of two-level systems (TLSs) in a coherent photonic field. Using a theoretical analysis of the behaviour of a TLS ensemble in a resonant field, we formulate requirements for dynamic characteristics of a medium suitable for implementation of a photonic gate. Experimental studies of optical dynamics and excitonic state spectra of epitaxial GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells and superlattices has allowed us to conclude that their physical parameters make it possible to build photonic-gate matrices exceeding the transistor-based electronic switches in terms of their productive capacity by five to six orders of magnitude.