Optical bistability in a GaAs based polariton diode

摘要

We report on a new type of optical nonlinearity in a polariton p-i-nmicrocavity. Abrupt switching between the strong and weak coupling regime isinduced by controlling the electric field within the cavity. As a consequencebistable cycles are observed for low optical powers (2-3 orders of magnitudeless than for Kerr induced bistability). Signatures of switching frontspropagating through the whole 300 microns x 300 microns mesa surface areevidenced.