Optical bistability and switching in nonresonant gaas: Cr self-electrooptic effect devices

Using the thermal self-electrooptic effect, optical bistability is observed in a hybrid etalon of semi-insulating GaAs:Cr material at the nonresonant wavelength of 1.06 nm. The nonlinearity is traced back to a temperature-dependent index of refraction, largely enhanced by the optoelectronically induced electrical power arising from photocurrent flow. The optical absorption is attributed to bandtailing effects due to the trapping centers. Optoelectronic and gate operation between optical and electrical input signals is achieved. © 1988 Optical Society of America.SCOPUS: ar.j