LIGHT DETECTION SENSITIVITY OF A VERTICAL-CAVITY STRUCTURE USED IN ANOPTICAL SWITCH DEVICE

The light detection characteristics in a vertical cavity surface-emitt ing laser-type vertical-to-surface transmission electrophotonic device (VC-VSTEP) have been evaluated. To realize a low energy optical inter connection, not only the switching threshold energy but also the light detection sensitivity must be optimized. Maximum sensitivity is achie ved when the input light wavelength and the field distribution coincid e with fundamental cavity mode characteristics. Under the best matchin g condition, the input light energy necessary to switch the VC-VSTEP s tate is easily lower than 1 pJ.