Optically triggered off-switching in a bistable laser diode using a two-electrode DFB-LD

Abstract

Optically triggered off-switching in a bistable laser diode (BLD) with inhomogeneous excitation is demonstrated for the first time. By injecting an optical pulse with a slightly different frequency from that of the BLD, the BLD is switched from the stable on to the stable off position. This off-switching results from beat vibration between the BLD lasing light and the externally injected light.