Abstract
The double‐heterostructure optoelectronic switch (DOES) is demonstrated as an N‐channel, single quantum well, graded index laser. As a broad‐area device, the DOES exhibits excellent electrical switching characteristics of 12 V and 0.04 A cm2 at the switching condition and 1.8 V and 3.3 A cm2 at the holding condition with 8.4×104 Ω cm2 on state resistance. As a laser, threshold current densities down to 580 A/cm2, loss of 11 cm1, slope efficiency of 0.35 mA/mW, and total power conversion efficiency of 45% were obtained.