[en] The general structure of double-heterojunction diode lasers is shown to be consistent with the required geometry of the Shockley diode or p-n-p-n switch. When the two devices are combined in a single structure, there results an extremely simple source of high optical power (more than 0.5-W) pulses of very short duration (less than 10 ns) without the need for a complex external driver. In principle, pulse triggering and repetition rate are easily controlled, suggesting that the device has potential application in pulse-coded optical communication systems. (U.S.)