A Triangular-Barrier Optoelectronic Switch with Light-Controllable Performances

A GaAs-InGaP triangular-barrier optoelectronic switch, grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), was fabricated. Owing to the avalanche multiplication and carrier confinement in the device operation, S-shaped negative-differential-resistance (NDR) performances were observed in the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics under normal and reverse operation modes. The device showed a flexible optical function related to the potential barrier height controllable by incident light. The dependence of the carrier transport mechanism on illumination was investigated.