FIELD: optical switches, optical transistors. SUBSTANCE: method involves application of beam to input of one of tunnel junction waveguides. Beam contains characteristic solitary waves or similar in amplitude and shape pulses which has alternating maximal intensity, which is in range of 0.61 to 1.41. Other claims of invention describe method which involves application of beam, which intensity is significantly less than or is about intensity of characteristic solitary waves, at input of same or another waveguide. Method may involve application of sequence of pulses to input of one waveguide. Intensity of some pulses in this sequence is less than critical level by factor of 1.3. Intensity of other pulses is greater than critical level by factor of 1.3. EFFECT: decreased power of solitary waves to be input into waveguide, increased definition and depth of switching. 22 cl, 4 dwg
