Surface‐emitting laser‐based optical bistable switching device

The first experimental demonstration of a surface‐normal bistable optical switching device based on the monolithic integration of a vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting laser and a pnpn photothyristor is reported. By the use of ion implantation, it is shown that the positive feedback in the photothyristor can be controlled, thus enabling the integration of both bistable and latching optical switches on the same epitaxial structure. High contrast (30 dB) and an optical gain of 8 are demonstrated.