Modal bistability in a GaAlAs leaky waveguide

Previously reported observations of optical bistability in a GaAs/GaAlAs waveguide cavity included whole-sample thermally induced absorptive and refractive bistability and localised ( mu s) thermally induced absorptive bistability. These experiments were all conducted in a proper waveguide geometry with confined modes. The authors report the observation of bistability due to changes in the modes propagating in a leaky GaAs/GaAlAs waveguide. >