Numerical simulation of a nonlinear interface has shown that remarkable improvement in switching quality is theoretically possible by hard-limited saturation of the nonlinearity. We report the results of simulations investigating the effect of different types of soft saturation on nonlinear-interface switching behavior. The calculated predictions are consistent with recent experimental findings and show surprisingly little difference between hard and soft saturation. Significant softening leads to contrast reduction.Numerical simulation of a nonlinear interface has shown that remarkable improvement in switching quality is theoretically possible by hard-limited saturation of the nonlinearity. We report the results of simulations investigating the effect of different types of soft saturation on nonlinear-interface switching behavior. The calculated predictions are consistent with recent experimental findings and show surprisingly little difference between hard and soft saturation. Significant softening leads to contrast reduction.

Physical Review AJan 1, 19908 citations

Nonlinearity at an Interface

Francesco Bloisi, Luciano Rosario Maria Vicari, Sergio M. De Nicola +6 more

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19900 citations

Nonlinearities in Active Media

Katherine L. Hall, Erik R. Thoen, Erich P. Ippen

Semiconductors and semimetalsJan 1, 199821 citations

Three-level nonlinear selective reflection at a glass–Cs-vapor interface

Anne Amy‐Klein, Solomon M. Saltiel, O. A. Rabi +1 more

We present an experimental study of nonlinear selective reflection at a dielectric--Cs-vapor interface, in a three-level cascade-up scheme. The nonlinear reflection at the Cs ${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ resonance line is monitored in the presence of resonant irradiation at 621 nm or 658 nm (6 ${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}8 ${\mathit{D}}_{5/2}$ ,9 ${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$ ). Experimental reflection spectra with either counterpropagating or copropagating light beams are analyzed and compared with the theoretical predictions of F. Schuller et al. [Phys. Rev. A 47, 519 (1993)]. For a blue-detuned pump and copropagating geometry an alternative type of three-level coherent reflection resonances, specifically associated with desorbing atoms, is observed. Also observed is the nonlinear reflection associated with the off-resonant, two-photon dispersion of atoms moving parallel to the window surface. Probe beam saturation is responsible for the appearance of additional resonant features in reflection spectra. Finally we analyze crossover spectral resonances which arise from nondegenerate, four-wave-mixing processes induced by the combined influence of counterpropagating pump and probe beams, and the pump beam being partially reflected by the window.We present an experimental study of nonlinear selective reflection at a dielectric--Cs-vapor interface, in a three-level cascade-up scheme. The nonlinear reflection at the Cs ${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ resonance line is monitored in the presence of resonant irradiation at 621 nm or 658 nm (6${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}8${\mathit{D}}_{5/2}$,9${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$). Experimental reflection spectra with either counterpropagating or copropagating light beams are analyzed and compared with the theoretical predictions of F. Schuller et al. [Phys. Rev. A 47, 519 (1993)]. For a blue-detuned pump and copropagating geometry an alternative type of three-level coherent reflection resonances, specifically associated with desorbing atoms, is observed. Also observed is the nonlinear reflection associated with the off-resonant, two-photon dispersion of atoms moving parallel to the window surface. Probe beam saturation is responsible for the appearance of additional resonant features in reflection spectra. Finally we analyze crossover spectral resonances which arise from nondegenerate, four-wave-mixing processes induced by the combined influence of counterpropagating pump and probe beams, and the pump beam being partially reflected by the window.

Physical Review AOct 1, 199513 citations

Switching Of Reflection Of Light At Nonlinear Interfaces

A. E. Kaplan, P. W. E. Smith, W. J. Tomlinson

The reflection of light at the interface between linear and nonlinear media can provide fundamentally novel nonlinear effects such as nonlinear switching from total internal reflection to partial transmission, bleaching of the interface, and bistability. The nonlinear interface is the simplest switching and bistable optical device. Unlike bistable Fabry-Perot resonators, it allows one to use broadband sources of light and remove resonant restrictions on frequency tuning, and offers potentials to attain high operating speed. Experimental demonstration of those effects shows good agreement with some of the predictions of plane-wave theory. Some of the experimental results as well as computer simulation, however, show a new feature of the phenomenon which requires further exploration.The reflection of light at the interface between linear and nonlinear media can provide fundamentally novel nonlinear effects such as nonlinear switching from total internal reflection to partial transmission, bleaching of the interface, and bistability. The nonlinear interface is the simplest switching and bistable optical device. Unlike bistable Fabry-Perot resonators, it allows one to use broadband sources of light and remove resonant restrictions on frequency tuning, and offers potentials to attain high operating speed. Experimental demonstration of those effects shows good agreement with some of the predictions of plane-wave theory. Some of the experimental results as well as computer simulation, however, show a new feature of the phenomenon which requires further exploration.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEAug 2, 19824 citations

Interface in a three dimensional XY model with a spatially varying coupling constant

Paul Muzikar, Nicholas J. Giordano

Physica A Statistical Mechanics and its ApplicationsJun 1, 19892 citations

We present an experimental study of nonlinear selective reflection at a dielectric--Cs-vapor interface, in a three-level cascade-up scheme. The nonlinear reflection at the Cs

{\mathit{D}}_{2}

resonance line is monitored in the presence of resonant irradiation at 621 nm or 658 nm (6

{\mathit{P}}_{3/2}

\ensuremath{\rightarrow}8

{\mathit{D}}_{5/2}

{\mathit{S}}_{1/2}

). Experimental reflection spectra with either counterpropagating or copropagating light beams are analyzed and compared with the theoretical predictions of F. Schuller et al. [Phys. Rev. A 47, 519 (1993)]. For a blue-detuned pump and copropagating geometry an alternative type of three-level coherent reflection resonances, specifically associated with desorbing atoms, is observed. Also observed is the nonlinear reflection associated with the off-resonant, two-photon dispersion of atoms moving parallel to the window surface. Probe beam saturation is responsible for the appearance of additional resonant features in reflection spectra. Finally we analyze crossover spectral resonances which arise from nondegenerate, four-wave-mixing processes induced by the combined influence of counterpropagating pump and probe beams, and the pump beam being partially reflected by the window.