Optical transistor

An optical transistor is a device that switches or amplifies optical signals. Light incident on an optical transistor’s input changes the intensity of light emitted from the transistor’s output. Output power is supplied by an additional optical source. Since the input signal intensity may be weaker than that of the source, an optical transistor amplifies the optical signal. The device is the optical analog of the electronic transistor that forms the basis of modern electronic devices. Optical transistors provide a means to control light using only light and has applications in optical computing and fiber-optic communication networks. Such technology has the potential to exceed the speed of electronics, while consuming less power.