In this work we have studied the dynamics of switch-on and switch-off processes in biased MQW structures where every well shows optical bistability in a light intensity range (Il ,Ih). We have analyzed in detail MQW structures with negligible inter-well transport. We have found that the switch-on mechanism consists of a time sequence where every QW jumps into the high-absorption state. Therefore a step-like switching wave propagates through the structure. The switch-off process resembles a reverse wave propagating in the opposite direction and step-like processes in the plasma concentration decay. These effects can be used for conversion of an analog optical signal to digital (optical and electrical) signal(s).
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