Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Dynamic nonlinear properties of dielectric interference filters

Yuk Tak Chow, Brendan T. McGuckin, Brian S. Wherrett, Eric W. Van Stryland

Published Feb 1, 1986• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

We report the use of the nonlinear optical responses of multilayer dielectric interference filters to investigate the electron dynamics of thin-film ZnSe. Filters with spacer layers of ZnSe deposited by both vacuum thermal and molecular-beam techniques are investigated. Using cw irradiation from a 30-mW He-Ne laser, nonlinear Fabry-Perot action and optical bistability are observed for a number of filter designs.1

Related papers

Optical bistability in thin-film CdSe interference filters

Olof Sahlén

Nonlinear, thin-film interference filters with CdSe as spacer material have been fabricated. Optical bistability is observed with less than 3 mW of optical power with wavelengths in the 810–850-nm region. The nonlinear mechanism is shown to be thermal. Filters having thicker CdSe spacers are more stable than filters with very thin spacers.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jan 1, 1988•6 citations

Continuous-wave laser-pumped optical bistability in thermally deposited and molecular-beam-grown ZnSe interference filters

Yuk Tak Chow, Brian S. Wherrett, Eric Van Stryland +5 more

We observe and compare conditions for cw optical bistability in both thermal-vacuum-deposited and molecular beam grown ZnSe-based interference filters, at He–Ne-laser (633-nm), Kr (647-nm), and Ar-ion (514-nm) wave-lengths. Bistability is observed at 514 and 647 nm and, by inference, should be observable at a number of intervening wavelengths for a single molecular-beam-grown sample. From our theoretical analysis we also demonstrate that observed drift instabilities in filter nonlinear responses correlate with the highest internal irradiance levels.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Nov 1, 1986•34 citations

Wavelength Dependence of Optical Bistability in Molecular-beam-deposited ZnSe Interference Filters

Alan Miller, J. Staromlynska, Ian T. Muirhead +1 more

Complete ZnSe interference filters exhibiting optical bistability have been fabricated using ultrahigh-vacuum molecular-beam techniques. The wavelength dependence of the critical switching power was measured at five wavelengths between 521 and 676 nm for a filter with two-period ZnSe/BaF2 multilayer reflectors and an initial assessment has been made of their long-term operational stability.

Journal of Modern Optics•Mar 1, 1988•8 citations

OPTICAL BISTABILITY IN MOLECULAR BEAM DEPOSITED ZnSe/BaF2 MULTILAYER INTERFERENCE FILTERS

Alan Miller, Ian T. Muirhead, K. L. Lewis +2 more

Complete interference filters have been fabricated using ultrahigh vacuum molecular beam techniques and optically assessed. The wavelength dependence of optical bistability is compared with theory between 676 and 521nm for a 6 µm thick filter with ZnSe/BaF2 multilayer reflectors. Both dispersive bistability and bistability due to increasing absorption were observed at 514nm.

Le Journal de Physique Colloques•Jun 1, 1988•1 citation

A Critical Phenomenon-Based Optical Bistability in Vanadium Dioxide

R. S. Rana, David D. Nolte, F. A. Chudnovskiǐ

The characteristics of nonlinear thin film etalons and interference filters are being studied because of their potential use as optical logical elements1. Low-power optical bistability in thin film nonlinear interference filters has been demonstrated at room temperature using zinc sulphide (ZnS) and zinc selenide2 (ZnSe). These bistable devices rely on electronic nonlinearities to operate. A switching power of 5 mW and switching speeds of 1 ms - 10 μs are typical for these devices.

Nonlinear Optics•Jan 1, 1992•0 citations

OPTICAL BISTABILITY IN ZINC-SULFIDE AND ZINC-SELENIDE THIN-FILM INTERFERENCE FILTERS AND IN GALLIUM-ARSENIDE AND COPPER-CHLORIDE ETALONS (NONLINEAR).

Doreen A. Weinberger

Two-photon optical bistability in commercial thin-film interference filters with ZnS and ZnSe spacers is observed with switching times ≳ 200 μs. The accompanying drifting of the bistability loop in time and laser-induced "damage" indicate a thermal mechanism. The problem of water vapor absorption in such filters must be addressed before the inherent potential and advantages of these devices in two-dimensional image processing applications can be realized. Trans- verse effects in GaAs superlattice etalons are observed which cannot be explained on the basis of a plane-wave analysis. The optical nonlinearity in GaAs and diffraction combine to produce drastic effects on the measured beam profiles and bistable loops, due to an intensity-dependent virtual focus. Lastly, the first observation of optical bistability due to a biexcitonic nonlinearity in CuCl etalons is reported with detector-limited switching times of 600 ps. In addition, lasing action along the pump axis in a cavity defined by the end mirrors is observed in a very thin (2.0 μm) CuCl etalon. The lasing transition is unique in that it involves the creation of a virtual excitation of biexcitons which decay to the longitudinal exciton state.

•Jan 1, 1984•0 citations
We report the use of the nonlinear optical responses of multilayer dielectric interference filters to investigate the electron dynamics of thin-film ZnSe. Filters with spacer layers of ZnSe deposited by both vacuum thermal and molecular-beam techniques are investigated. Using cw irradiation from a 30-mW He-Ne laser, nonlinear Fabry-Perot action and optical bistability are observed for a number of filter designs.1
We observe and compare conditions for cw optical bistability in both thermal-vacuum-deposited and molecular beam grown ZnSe-based interference filters, at He–Ne-laser (633-nm), Kr (647-nm), and Ar-ion (514-nm) wave-lengths. Bistability is observed at 514 and 647 nm and, by inference, should be observable at a number of intervening wavelengths for a single molecular-beam-grown sample. From our theoretical analysis we also demonstrate that observed drift instabilities in filter nonlinear responses correlate with the highest internal irradiance levels.
Two-photon optical bistability in commercial thin-film interference filters with ZnS and ZnSe spacers is observed with switching times ≳ 200 μs. The accompanying drifting of the bistability loop in time and laser-induced "damage" indicate a thermal mechanism. The problem of water vapor absorption in such filters must be addressed before the inherent potential and advantages of these devices in two-dimensional image processing applications can be realized. Trans- verse effects in GaAs superlattice etalons are observed which cannot be explained on the basis of a plane-wave analysis. The optical nonlinearity in GaAs and diffraction combine to produce drastic effects on the measured beam profiles and bistable loops, due to an intensity-dependent virtual focus. Lastly, the first observation of optical bistability due to a biexcitonic nonlinearity in CuCl etalons is reported with detector-limited switching times of 600 ps. In addition, lasing action along the pump axis in a cavity defined by the end mirrors is observed in a very thin (2.0 μm) CuCl etalon. The lasing transition is unique in that it involves the creation of a virtual excitation of biexcitons which decay to the longitudinal exciton state.