Effects of diffusion and surface recombination in dispersive optical bistability

C. R. Willis, J. Day

L. A. Lugiato, A. Colombo, G. Broggi +1 more

Yuchi Chen

W. J. Firth, Ian Galbraith

We present an analysis of the effect of surface recombination on the behaviour of optically bistable and transphasor devices. We derive analytic expressions for the longitudinal carrier profiles and the input/output intensity characteristics for a plane wave input. We also examine the frequency response of such devices and find qualitative agreement with experimental results. Finally, we present preliminary calculations modelling bistable devices including both longitudinal and transverse carrier diffusion, and surface recombination.

Denis L. Weaire, J. P. Kermode, V. M. Dwyer

Harvey Richardson, E. Abraham

Optically bistable devices may be physically pixelated, and this may reduce cross talk or power requirements. When the bistability is of electronic origin, the rate of recombination of carriers at the surface is of great importance. We show how the surface recombination affects the speed of the element, first for a one-dimensional model and then for a cylindrical rod pixel with recombination at the curved surface. In some cases pixelated and unpixelated elements operate at the same speed, which indicates that the surface recombination in the former is equivalent to the diffusive loss from the latter.