A MODEL FOR OPTICALLY QUENCHED LASERS

A model is presented for optically controlling the gain of a semicondu ctor laser by introducing photons from a second coherent source into t he side of the laser. We find that the threshold current of the laser increases in direct proportion to the overlap between the two modes an d the photon density from the coherent source. An easy-to-use, closed- form expression relates the optical power emitted from the laser to th e bias and threshold currents. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.