Digital optical metal insulator silicon thyristor (o.m.i.s.t.)

Abstract

This paper presents a silicon device (m.i.s.t.), with an optical threshold, which can operate as a digital optical switch. Its operation and characteristics are presented. A good correlation between theory and the experimental results is obtained. The responsivity and sensitivity of 0.9 AW?1 and 3.9 × 10?4 mA/?V are obtained, respectively. Possible applications in fast optical digital isolation and in optical communication systems are envisaged.