Numerical simulation of a dual-branch laser/amplifier switch based on a thyristor-like structure

We present stationary simulations of a dual-branch heterostructure laser/op tical-amplifier switch. The simulations of the thyristor-like structure sho w that the state of each anode branch can be maintained and controlled by s mall gate currents between ON and OFF. The switching approach employed here exhibits an extinction ratio of about 30 dB between the ON- and OFF-branch currents, with nearly symmetric rise and fall times of 5.1 and 6.1 ns, res pectively. The device can be utilized as either a dual-branch laser or as a n optical-amplifier space-division switch, e.g., in 2 x 2 switch matrices.