Spectral bistability in coupled-cavity semiconductor lasers.

Bistability in the spectral output of a two-section Cleaved- Coupled-Cavity (C(3)) semiconductor laser is observed. A wide (10 mA) and temperature insensitive hysteresis loop is obtained at laser currents up to at least 3x1(th) and the laser can be switched with sub-nanosecond electrical pulses between its two spectrally pure states. The switching is characterized by a power-delay product of 4(*)10(-12)J and a switching time of less than 1 ns.