PURPOSE: To enable a semiconductor optical multivalued logic switching device to be lessened in power consumption and enhanced in time response speed by a method wherein the semiconductor optical multivalued logic switching device is made to carry out a switching operation between stable points where operating points are above 3 in number by changing the optical electric power of a first or a second input light into pulses.
CONSTITUTION: Two hetero-junction PIN-type diodes D1 and D2 as SEED elements possessed of non-linear electricity absorption effect are connected together in series, a first input, light Pin1 of prescribed optical electric power is applied to the diode D1, and a second input light Pin2 of prescribed optical electric power is made impinge van the diode D2. The first input light Pin1 or the second input light Pin2 is increased in optical electric power turning into pulses and then decreased, whereby a switching device of this constitution carries out a switching operation at operating points above 3 in number, including at least an operating point in a quasi-stable state. By this setup, a switching device can be lessened in power consumption and enhanced in time response speed.
KAWASHIMA KENJI
FUJIWARA KENZO
