Ultrafast deflection of spatial solitons in AlxGa(1-x)As slab waveguides.

We demonstrate ultrafast all-optical deflection of spatial solitons in an AlxGa(1-x)As slab waveguide, using 190 fs, 1550 nm pulses to generate and deflect the spatial soliton. The steering beam is focused onto the top of the waveguide near the soliton pathway, and the soliton is steered by refractive-index changes induced by optical Kerr, or free-carrier (Drude), effects. Angular deflections up to 8 mrad are observed.