A new AlGaAs/GaAs/InAlGaP npn bulk-barrier optoelectronic switch

Two-terminal switching performance is observed in a new AlGaAs/GaAs/InAlGaP optoelectronic device. The device shows that the switching action takes place from a low current state to a high current state through a region of negative differential resistance (NDR). The transition from either state to the other may be induced by an appropriate optical or electrical input. It is seen that the effect of illumination increases the switching voltage V/sub S/ and decreases the switching current I/sub S/, which is quite different from other results reported. In addition, it possesses obvious NDR even up to 160(degree)C. This high-temperature performance provides the studied device with potential high-temperature applications.