All-optical flip-flop based on coupled laser diodes

An all-optical set-reset flip-flop is presented that is based on two coupled identical laser diodes. The lasers are coupled so that when one of the lasers lases, it quenches lasing in the other laser. The state of the flip-flop is determined by which laser is currently lasing. Rate equations are used to model the flip-flop, and it is experimentally demonstrated by the use of antireflection-coated laser diodes and free-space optics. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 25: 157-159, 2000