Study of optical bistability based on hybrid-cavity semiconductor lasers

• Published in: AIP advances 2019-04, Vol.9 (4), p.045224-045224-8
• Main Authors: Wang, Fu-Li, Huang, Yong-Zhen, Yang, Yue-De, Ma, Chun-Guang, Hao, You-Zeng, Tang, Min, Xiao, Jin-Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptivity; Computer simulation; Dynamic response; Optical bistability; Photons; Power consumption; Semiconductor lasers
• ISSN: 2158-3226; 2158-3226
• DOI: 10.1063/1.5081003

All-optical flip-flop has been demonstrated experimentally based on our optical bistable hybrid square-rectangular lasers. In this paper, dual-mode rate equations are utilized for studying the optical bistability in the two-section hybrid-coupled semiconductor laser. A phenomenological gain spectrum model is constructed for considering the mode competition in gain section and saturable absorption effect in the absorptive section in a wide wavelength range. The mechanisms of the optical bistability are verified in the aspect of the distribution of carriers and photons in the two-section hybrid-coupled cavity. In addition, we find that with the adjustment of the device parameters, both of the width and biasing current for achieving the bistability can be tuned for a wide range. Furthermore, a dynamic response of all-optical flip-flop is simulated, using a pair of set/reset optical triggering pulses, in order to figure out the laws for faster transition time with lower power consumption.