Absorptive switching and spectral characteristics of the side-injection light-controlled bistable laser diode

Experimental results characterizing the operation of the side-injection light-controlled bistable laser diode (SILC-BLD) have been accurately modeled using simple gain expressions and rate equations. Light output versus gain section drive current has been calculated and agrees well with experiment. Further, voltage shifts (due to carrier redistribution between the gain and absorber regions) measured at switch on and off have also been modeled successfully for what is believed to be the first time in a quantum-well laser to the authors' knowledge, and agree well with experiment. Spectrally, subthreshold power-averaged wavelength versus gain section drive current measurements show a parabolic form (caused by the interplay between band filling, energy gap shrinkage, and the increase in stimulated emission). This has been successfully modeled using quantum-well gain and the associated spontaneous emission spectra, and should have wide applicability to all Fabry-Perot semiconductor lasers.