Bistable Systems in Nonlinear Optics

P. Vincent, Nicole A. Paraire, M. Nevière +2 more

A new use of gratings in nonlinear optics is presented, i.e., the realization of bistable components. The device studied here consist of grating couplers ruled on a Kerr nonlinear medium, which use the guided-wave resonance to increase the local field and thus the nonlinearities. The result is that they are intrinsic bistable optical systems with high-speed, low pumping thresholds, and geometry well adapted to optical integration. First, a linear electromagnetic study of the devices is presented. It follows optimizing the grating parameters in order to get the best coupling between the incident beam and the guided mode inside the corrugated waveguide. Then a graphical construction is given that demonstrates the bistable character of the system in nonlinear optics. Next a nonlinear analysis of the devices is rigorously derived from Maxwell equations. It states precisely the predictions of the graphical construction and allows comparison of the effectiveness of the guided-wave resonance with the surface plasmon resonance in order to reduce the threshold of bistability.

F. T. Arecchi, Giovanni Giusfredi, E. Petriella +31 more

R. Loudon

Chunfei Li, Ruibo Wang, Ping Zhou +1 more

Many organic materials exhibit large nonlinearity. Bistability in nitrobenzene1 and dye2 has been observed. The first observation of optical bistability and multistability in Canada balsam is reported here. This kind of optical bistability device (OBD) is economical; solidification makes it convenient in operation. It may be useful in optical computing systems.

C. F. Li

Georgii E. Pobegalov, Peter M. Agruzov, Igor V. Il'ichev +1 more

We demonstrate an optical bistability in a laser system with incoherent optical feedback and a nanosuspension as a nonlinear element. The optical transfer function is shown to exhibit a hysteresis loop for the light power in the range of a few milliwatts. It has been found that the optical bistability relies on the incoherent optical feedback and thermal defocusing nonlinear optical response of the nanosuspension.