Multiple-input optical control of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers using intracavity-coupled in-plane lasers

We report new experimental results demonstrating optical bistability and two-input NOR gate operation in intracavity-coupled in-plane and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) fabricated from the same epitaxial material. The VCSEL (or output) section gain is controlled by separately biased in-plane laser section(s), and depending on the in-plane power output, complete quenching of stimulated emission in the VCSEL is observed. Hysteresis is present in the VCSEL output power versus in-plane laser input power characteristic, and an optical memory effect is observed in the combined device.