All-optical bistable switching and signal regeneration in a semiconductor layered distributed-feedback/Fabry–Perot structure

We report the experimental observation of optical bistable switching in a combined distributed-feedback/Fabry–Perot structure. The sample had a high switching contrast with almost zero reflectivity in the on-state. A turnoff time as short as 4 ns was measured. The threshold power for bistability was about 2 mW. Bistable switching with the memory effect and a potential application for all-optical signal regeneration were demonstrated.