Multiple-valued stationary state and its instability of the transmitted light by a ring cavity system

We show that optical bistability can occur in a distributed feedback structure with an intensity‐dependent refractive index. Analytical expressions for the transmissivity are obtained and a comparison with Fabry‐Perot‐type devices is presented.

Theory of bistability in nonlinear distributed feedback structures

We have grown and measured the optical second‐harmonic coefficient dijk of the new nonlinear crystal 2‐methyl‐4‐nitroaniline (MNA). We find that the dijk are very large with d12 being 5.8 times larger than d31 of LiNbO3 giving a birefringence phase‐matching figure of merit d2/n3 which is 45 times larger than LiNbO3. The other coefficient d11 is 40 times larger than LiNbO3, giving a huge figure of merit which is 2000 larger than LiNbO3.

An organic crystal with an exceptionally large optical second‐harmonic coefficient: 2‐methyl‐4‐nitroaniline

We report the observation of optical stability for a plane parallel semiconductor crystal which forms a Fabry‐Perot interferometer using only the natural reflectivity of its surfaces. Nonlinear transmission is observed for cw laser intensities above ∼ 100 W/cm2 for radiation at 1895 cm−1 near the energy gap of InSb at 5 K. The effect is interpreted in terms of a very large intensity‐dependent refractive index giving a 5λ/2 optical thickness change for an intensity of ∼2 kW/cm2. Clear bistability is seen in fifth‐order interference, the first such observation above first order in an intrinsic, one‐element system, in addition to regions exhibiting signal amplification. The same crystal also shows strong modulation of the transmission of one laser beam induced by a second, with real signal gain, thus demonstrating an ’’optical transistor.’’

Optical bistability and signal amplification in a semiconductor crystal: applications of new low‐power nonlinear effects in InSb

Gives a broad description of optical bistability: from practical applications, as an optical transistor or optical memory element, to its phase transition interpretation. The theory is divided into three parts. The first is a simple discussion that covers most of the basic experimental effects and concepts of practical importance. The second part applies to atomic system where a semiclassical as well as a quantum-mechanical approach is possible. The third one discusses the mechanisms compatible with large nonlinearities observed in InSb and GaAs as semiconductors constitute the most promising materials for applications. Current experimental progress in all-optical and hybrid devices is also discussed and scaling example is presented to indicate the possibilities in high-speed all-optical signal processing.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0034-4885/45/8/001/pdf

Optical bistability and related devices

We show that a Fabry‐Perot interferometer filled with a Kerr medium has a multiple‐valued transmission‐intensity characteristic. ’’On’’ and ’’off’’ field for bistable operation are estimated, and a simple but accurate approximate theory is described.

J. H. Marburger

Papers

Theory of nonresonant multistable optical devices