Abstract

Optical bistable devices can be used as switches and amplifiers of signals in information processing and optical communications systems. Hysteresis in the operation of the switch imposes limitations on the speed with which such devices may be operated and also determines the power dissipated in the system. A signal, injected from a singlemode semiconductor laser into a second laser that is operated close to threshold experiences absorption or gain, depending on its intensity. When the injected signal is modulated sinusoidally, the output can be switched "on" or "off," with hysteresis observed between the input and output signals.¹ Alternatively, detuning of the input signal from the bistable laser mode can be modulated; this has been studied recently as well.^2,3

© 1994 IEEE