| Numéro |
J. Phys. III France
Volume 4, Numéro 12, December 1994
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 2391 - 2404 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/jp3:1994285 | |
J. Phys. III France 4 (1994) 2391-2404
Properties and applications of optical thyristors
Paul Heremans1, Maarten Kuijk2, Roger Vounckx2 and Gustaaf Borghs11 Interuniversity Micro-Electronics Center (IMEC), Kapeldreef 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
2 Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Applied Physics Dept. (TONA), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
(Received 11 January 1994, 11 May 1994)
Abstract
The optical thyristor is a promising device for optical information processing. It combines a receiving-, transmitting- and
memory function in a single device, with at the same time a considerable optical gain. We show in this paper the dynamics
of differential switching, i.e., the switching of a single thyristor in an array of thyristors, and compare it to the switching
of a single device. We also review the recent developments which have led to a dramatic increase of the speed and optical
sensitivity of optical thyristors. Finally, we show some interesting applications which have been realized with differential
switching in arrays of sensitive thyristors (
,
unto
devices), such as locating the maximum light intensity or integrated intensity of optical input patterns, and transcription
of optical information from one thyristor array to another in free space.
© Les Editions de Physique 1994