Abstract
Bistable optical device was demonstrated by using the longitudinal mode hopping of a laser diode and a narrow spectral transmission characteristic of an interference filter. Since a hysteresis characteristic exists in the relationship between the wavelength and the injection current of the laser diode, an optical bistability was observed in this system. In this device changes in the wavelength of the laser diode are converted into changes in intensity by the transmission through a filter. Exclusive OR operation of the device was observed with the use of ternary logic level. In addition, an optical switch-off phenomenon was confirmed by directly injecting a pulse of 500 psec wide from an external dye laser.
