This paper describes recent results with the Bulk Optically-controlled Semiconductor Switch (BOSS) concept. The BOSS concept involves the excitation of electrons or holes from selected deep centers in the band gap of silicon doped, copper compensated gallium arsenide. The conductivity of the switch can be increased or decreased on command by irradiating the switch with laser light at different wavelengths in the infrared. Recent switch closing 2esults are reported in which current densities as

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... igh as 10 Wcm were switched and fields as high as 20 kV/cm were held off. Lock on was observed at the higher fields (10 kV/cm). Strong optical quenching of the induced photoconductivity has been observed that demonstrates the feasibility of using the BOSS as a nanosecond opening switch.