Novel hybrid optically bistable switch: The quantum well self-electro-optic effect device

We report a new type of optoelectronic device, a self-electro-optic effect device (SEED), which uses the same GaAs/GaAlAs multiple quantum well material simultaneously as an optical detector and modulator. Using a series resistor and constant voltage bias supply the SEED shows optical bistabilty (OB) of the recently discovered type which relies on increasing absorption and requires no mirrors. OB is seen at room temperature from ∼850–860 nm, at powers as low as 670 nW or switching times as short as 400 ns (limited only by power restrictions) with ∼1-nJ optical switching energy in a 600-μm-diam device. Total energies per unit area (∼18 fJ/μm2) are substantially lower than any previously reported for OB.