Abstract:This paper,starting from the dynamics equation of optical tristability system in a phenmenological way,we study the pulse response characteristrics of the tristability devices by theoretic and computer imitation under holding pulsed light excitation.We make an analysis on the condition of the jump among the steady state,and the shortest switching time.The results for optical computer,integrated optics and optical fibre communication are useful in the practical application of the optical tristability deviceds.