Transient analysis of optical bistability in inhomogeneously pumped lasers

Inhomogeneously pumped devices such as SLEDS and multisegment lasers are known to exhibit absorptive bistability. A new model of the transient behaviour of the optical output during switching is presented for this class of device for the case of both optical and electrical triggering. The model includes the wavelength dependence of the stimulated gain and the spontaneous emission characteristics of the active material. The variation of the photon flux along the length of the laser is also taken into account. Results are obtained for GaAs/GaAlAs devices. Optically induced switching is demonstrated for different wavelengths of the injected light, and the effect of triggering the device by optical injection into either the pumped or the passive segment is examined