ROLE OF LIGHT FLUCTUATIONS IN THE APPEARANCE OF THE BISTABILITY OF THE PHOTOCARRIER DISTRIBUTION

The effect of light fluctuations on the light-induced bistability of t he photocarrier distribution is studied. The bistability can be explai ned by the threshold character of interband transitions and narrowing of the band gap of the semiconductor with increasing photocarrier dens ity. The stationary probability density of the states and the mathemat ical expectation of the transition time between states are calculated. It is shown that external noise induces a strongly absorbing state of the semiconductor below the critical intensity of the incident radiat ion and suppresses stationary states above this value. (C) 1998 Americ an Institute of Physics.