The optical switch and bistability based on nonlinear one-dimensional photonic crystals is designed and manufactured.The device, which has 20 periods, is made from ZnS layers and ZnSe layers alternately. When the incident power density reaches 1.0×10 5 W/cm 2, the Ar ion laser,wavelength of which is 514.5 nm, is shifted out of the optical bandgap of the one-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystals. Optical switch turns on to a high trasmission state. It also can be made into optical bistability device. The threshold power density of the optical bistability is 1.38×10 5 W/cm 2 and the switching time of the optical bistability is about 100 ps. The experimental results agree well with the theory one.