Whole‐sample and localized induced‐absorption optical bistability in GaAlAs waveguides

Induced‐absorption optical bistability has been studied in GaAlAs heterostructure rib and slab waveguides. Both whole‐sample and localized switching have been observed within the same device. The localized switch, which occurs on the time scale of a few microseconds and at an input power of 10–20 mW, has been induced using a laser‐diode source.