Diffusion Assisted Optical Switch: A New Optical Logic Device

A new optical logic device has been developed which offers many significant advantages over current devices. The device is based on a GaAs multiple quantum well based structure electrically biased. Carrier mobilities, diffusion, and tunnelling times provide the rise and fall times of the device eliminating the limiting effects of capacitive charging. Theoretical and experimental results from this device are presented which indicate that this device has speeds of many GHz, sub 100 femtojoule energies, and is easily fabricatable.