Rare earth materials for population density control with ultra-high-speed optical pulses

The rare earth materials, KNdFe(CN)/sub 6/.3H/sub 2/O (KNFCN), NdFe(CN)/sub 6/.4H/sub 2/O (NFCN), and NdFeO/sub 3/ (NFO) are characterized by absorption and fluorescence spectra. The dephasing times (T/sub 2/) and the fluorescent lifetimes (T/sub 1/) of the materials are determined. The critical bit rate (W/sub crit/) for ultra-high-speed population density control is discussed. The feasibility of using the materials for ultra-high-speed, all-optical switching devices is presented.