Optical input and output characteristics for bistable semiconductor lasers

Experimental results are presented regarding the switching of a bistable semiconductor laser’s output (PO) with injected optical power (PI). An incident optical beam, generated by an ordinary semiconductor laser, was injected into the bistable semiconductor laser with inhomogeneous excitation. The mutual relation between PI‐PO characteristics and I‐L characteristics for the bistable laser, and the dependence of PI‐PO characteristics on the bias current of the bistable laser are described. Switching between the two stable bistable operation states is accomplished by injecting optical trigger pulses. Switching of the laser having differential gain characteristics, through use of optical pulse, is also looked at.