Direct gain modulation of a semiconductor laser by a GaAs picosecond optoelectronic switch

Abstract
We report a novel application of high-speed optoelectronic switches for direct gain modulation of semiconductor lasers. A GaAs/GaAlAs buried heterostructure laser is driven by a Cr-doped GaAs photoconducting switch activated by a synchronously mode-locked cw dye laser. Infrared light pulses of 55-ps width are emitted from the semiconductor laser.