Hysteresis in IV-curve of blue multisection laser diodes due to photon and carrier density changes

Blue multisection laser diodes are being used before for short pulse applications with high output powers. Hysteresis effects in the current-optical output power (IP) characteristics due to absorption and saturation are known. We additionally observed hysteresis effects in the current-forward voltage (IV) characteristics of these diodes. The voltage increases at the lasing onset current which is different from some observations before. We explain this rise with the shielding of the piezoelectric field, which exists due the stress of the material, due to an increased carrier density below the onset current.