title: Optical bistability in a GaAs-based polariton diode.
abstract: We report on a new type of optical nonlinearity in a polariton p-i-n microcavity. Abrupt switching between the strong and weak coupling regime is induced by controlling the electric field within the cavity. As a consequence, bistable cycles are observed for low optical powers (2-3 orders of magnitude less than for Kerr induced bistability). Signatures of switching fronts propagating through the whole 300 x 300 microm2 mesa surface are evidenced.
authors.affiliation: CNRS-Laboratoire de Photonique et Nanostructures, Route de Nozay, 91460 Marcoussis, France.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bajoni
authors.forename: Elizaveta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Semenova
authors.forename: Aristide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lemaître
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouchoule
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wertz
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Senellart
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barbay
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuszelewicz
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bloch