Metallic quantum wells

The apparatus of 1, wherein the metallic well material further generates one or more linear responses when exposed to the first light having the first frequency, and wherein the one or more linear responses include a third light having the first frequency.

A pulse limiter, comprising:

• a metallic quantum well formed by interposing a layer of metallic well material between two layers of barrier material, the metallic quantum well generating a linear response when exposed to a first light having a first intensity that is below a threshold value, the linear response including a reflection of the first light without attenuation of the first intensity of the first incident light beam, the metallic quantum well generating a nonlinear response when exposed to a second light having a second intensity that exceeds the threshold value, the nonlinear response including a reflection of a third light having a third intensity below the threshold value, and the third light being generated by at least attenuating the second intensity of the second light.

A super-continuum generator, comprising.

• a metallic quantum well formed by interposing a layer of metallic well material between two layers of barrier material, the metallic quantum well generating a nonlinear response when exposed to a first light, the first light being monochromatic, and the nonlinear response including a broadband of frequencies forming a super-continuum.