Multiple-route and multiple-state current-voltage characteristics of an InP/AlInGaAs switch for multiple-valued logic applications

A novel multiple-state switching device based on an InP/AlInGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) structure has been successfully fabricated and demonstrated. The common-emitter current gain up to 25 is obtained under the forward operation mode. However, the anomalous multiple-negative-differential-resistance (MNDR) phenomena controlled either by electrical or optical input signals are observed under the inverted operation mode. The studied device exhibits a single-route S-shaped NDR behavior in the dark and a distinct significant S-shaped MNDR phenomena by introducing an incident light source at room temperature. Moreover, the anomalous multiple-route and multiple-step current-voltage (I-V) characteristics are also observed at 77 K. The switching behaviors are attributed to the avalanche multiplication, barrier lowering effect and potential redistribution process. Experimental results show that the studied device provides a good potentiality for multiple-valued logic and optoelectronic switching system applications.