Polarization threshold switches based on ordered GaInP

We report on optoelectronic switching devices with high photoconductive gain which are sensitive to the polarization direction of the optical input. Due to the large polarization anisotropy of the absorption coefficient of ordered GaInP, an electrical output can be switched “on” and “off” by rotating the linear polarization of the input light. Depending on the external adjustment of the working point, the structure can operate as a polarization threshold switch or a polarization detector, respectively. First results exhibit a switching contrast of 25 dB and a contrast of the detector signal of 7 dB between two perpendicularly polarized incident light beams, respectively.