Lasing oscillations in the negative differential resistance region of the double-heterostructure optoelectronic switch

In the characterization of the double-heterostructure optoelectronic switch (DOES) in the negative differential resistance (NDR) region, current oscillations are observed. The oscillations arise from the natural resonance of the NDR in the test circuit and produce a corresponding optical output. The authors observe these oscillations in DOES lasers with broad area threshold densities of 78 A/cm/sup 2/ and threshold currents for 10 mu m stripes of 15 mA. The optical output during the oscillations is laser emission since the current easily exceeds the laser threshold. The average output power due to the oscillations exceeds the CW power corresponding to the DC current by more than an order of magnitude.<
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