IEE Proceedings J Optoelectronics
QUANTUM WELLS IN OPTOELECTRONICS: Absorptive bistability in inhomogeneously pumped quantum well laser diodes
I. Middlemast, Jayanta Sarma, K. Alan Shore, Alicia I. Kucharska, E. D. Fletcher, Peter Blood
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to provide a study of optical bistability in inhomogeneously pumped multiquantum well (MQW) laser diodes. To achieve this aim, gain and spontaneous emission data, calculated for a specific MQW laser material structure, have been incorporated into a model of an inhomogeneously pumped laser diode. Results are presented which show a number of differences between the bistable behaviour of MQW and bulk GaAs segmented devices. Experimental results are included to provide a basis for a qualitative comparison with the theoretical model.