Bistable optical devices based on non-reciprocal optical amplifier

The bistable optical devices are attractive components for systems in which optical signals are processed directly without conversion into electrical signal. The paper discusses the possibilities of using the unique directional properties of the non-reciprocal optical amplifier to enhance the performance of bistable devices. The optical gain/loss in the forward and backward directions for GaAs/sub 1-x/P/sub x//Al/sub 1-x/Ga/sub x/As quantum-well optical amplifier covered by Co is shown.