The quantum well self electro-optic effect device: Optoelectronic bistability and oscillation, and self-linearized modulation.

We report extended experimental and theoretical results for the quantum well self electro-optic effect devices. Four modes of operation are demonstrated: (i) optical bistability; (ii) electrical bistability; (iii) simultaneous optical and electronic self-oscillation; (iv) self-linearized modulation and optical level shifting. All of these can be observed at room-temperature with a c.w. laser diode as the light source. Bistability can be observed with 18 nW of incident power, or with 30ns switching time at 1.6 mW with a reciprocal relation between switching power and speed. We also report bistability with low electrical bias voltages (e.g. 2V) using a constant current load.