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

Optics Letters

Bistable operation of a phase-conjugate resonator containing an intracavity saturable absorber

Stephen W. McCahon, Gilmore J. Dunning, Kevin W. Kirby, George C. Valley, M. B. Klein

Published Apr 1, 1992• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have demonstrated bistability in a phase-conjugate resonator containing an intracavity saturable absorber. The saturable absorber was a film of fluorescein-doped boric acid glass. The state of the resonator is determined by an external control beam incident upon the saturable absorber. When the resonator is switched to the on state by means of the control beam, it remains in that state even with the control beam turned off.

DOI
10.1364/ol.17.000517

Related papers

Bistable phase-conjugate resonator using an intracavity saturable absorber

M. B. Klein, Gilmore J. Dunning, Stephen W. McCahon +1 more

Phase-conjugate resonators have several attractive properties for image processing and storage. In the work described here, we demonstrate improved thresholding and storage properties of a phase-conjugate resonator (PCR) by the addition of an intracavity saturable absorber. It can be shown that the resonator will be bistable if (1) the small-signal absorption of the saturable absorber exceeds the small-signal gain of the phase-conjugate mirror, and (2) the absorption saturates more readily than the gain (i.e., reflectivity) of the PCM. Recently, a saturable absorber was used inside a PCR to control the transverse modes,1 but no evidence of bistability was obtained. In our experiment, we used a PCR bounded at one end by a conventional mirror and at the other end by an externally pumped BaTiO3 PCM. The saturable absorber was a solid film of fluorescein- doped boric acid glass.2 By adjustment of the total intensity and beam ratio at the PCM, we were able to demonstrate bistability. The input in our experiment was an incoherent control beam incident noncollinearly onto the intracavity saturable absorber. In the absence of a control beam, no oscillation was observed. When the control beam was turned on, the resonator switched to the on state in ~5 sec. The control beam could then be removed, and the cavity oscillation continued. To return to the off state, the resonator path was blocked.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1991•0 citations

Modulated optical phase conjugation in rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass saturable absorber thin films

Ramesh C. Sharma, Thomas Andrew Waigh, Jagdish P. Singh

The optical phase conjugation signal in nearly nondegenerate four wave mixing was studied using a rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass saturable absorber nonlinear medium. We have demonstrated a narrow band optical filter (2.56±0.15Hz) using an optical phase conjugation signal in the frequency modulation of a weak probe beam in the presence of two strong counterpropagating pump beams in rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass thin films (10−4m). Both the pump beams and the probe beam are at a wavelength of 488nm (continuous-wave Ar+ laser). The probe beam frequency was detuned with a ramp signal using a piezoelectric transducer mirror.

Applied Physics Letters•Mar 10, 2008•1 citation

Optical bistability under gain saturation conditions in a resonator controlled by external noncoherent beams

Mikhail V. Vasnetsov, V. B. Taranenko

Control of optical bistability was demonstrated for an active resonator cavity containing a saturable absorber in the form of an organic dye solution and also for a photochromic absorber based on genetically modified purple membranes of halobacteria. The interaction between the signal and laser beams was assumed to be noncoherent and noncollinear.

Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics•Nov 30, 1991•1 citation

Bistability and hysteresis in phase-conjugated reflectivity

Govind Prasad Agrawal, Christos Flytzanis

An externally driven nonlinear Fabry-Perot interferometer with bistable transmission characteristics is probed through a weak optical field. The nonlinear interaction among the counterpropagating pump beams and the probe beam generates the phase-conjugated beam through intracavity degenerate four-wave mixing. It is shown that the phase-conjugated reflectivity displays bistability and that hysteresis as the driving field is varied in a continuous manner. The analysis is carried out in the mean-field approximation and is valid for the case of low absorption and a high-Qcavity. Both the dispersive and the absorptive effects arising due to saturation of the one-photon resonance are included, and their effect on the phase-conjugated reflectivity is discussed. The results show that, when a bistable device switches on, the reflectivity decreases by a few orders of magnitude. We discuss possible applications and suggest materials where the proposed effects can be seen.

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•Mar 1, 1981•39 citations

Theory of intracavity-pumped photorefractive phase-conjugate mirror

Ram Yahalom, Avigail Yariv

We present a new type of phase-conjugate mirror that is based on an externally driven Fabry–Perot interferometer with intracavity-pumped photorefractive material, which is probed by the signal beam. It is shown theoretically that such a configuration leads to multivalued solutions and possibly to bistability. This configuration also permits optical control of the resonator output and electrical control of the phase-conjugate reflectivity.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Aug 1, 1988•9 citations

Dynamic behavior of bistability in a laser with a saturable absorber

E. Arimondo, Didier Dangoisse, C. Gabbanini +2 more

Optical bistability in a CO2 infrared laser containing SF6 as a saturable intracavity absorber has been studied under dynamic conditions as a function of a time-dependent laser control parameter. The width of the optical bistability region, the fluctuations in the bistability switching values, and the dependence on the initial conditions have been investigated in this transient optical bistability. A numerical solution of the laser rate equations provides a good interpretation of the experimental results, but some experimental observations cannot be completely explained.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jun 1, 1987•31 citations
We have demonstrated bistability in a phase-conjugate resonator containing an intracavity saturable absorber. The saturable absorber was a film of fluorescein-doped boric acid glass. The state of the resonator is determined by an external control beam incident upon the saturable absorber. When the resonator is switched to the on state by means of the control beam, it remains in that state even with the control beam turned off.
Phase-conjugate resonators have several attractive properties for image processing and storage. In the work described here, we demonstrate improved thresholding and storage properties of a phase-conjugate resonator (PCR) by the addition of an intracavity saturable absorber. It can be shown that the resonator will be bistable if (1) the small-signal absorption of the saturable absorber exceeds the small-signal gain of the phase-conjugate mirror, and (2) the absorption saturates more readily than the gain (i.e., reflectivity) of the PCM. Recently, a saturable absorber was used inside a PCR to control the transverse modes,1 but no evidence of bistability was obtained. In our experiment, we used a PCR bounded at one end by a conventional mirror and at the other end by an externally pumped BaTiO3 PCM. The saturable absorber was a solid film of fluorescein- doped boric acid glass.2 By adjustment of the total intensity and beam ratio at the PCM, we were able to demonstrate bistability. The input in our experiment was an incoherent control beam incident noncollinearly onto the intracavity saturable absorber. In the absence of a control beam, no oscillation was observed. When the control beam was turned on, the resonator switched to the on state in ~5 sec. The control beam could then be removed, and the cavity oscillation continued. To return to the off state, the resonator path was blocked.
The optical phase conjugation signal in nearly nondegenerate four wave mixing was studied using a rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass saturable absorber nonlinear medium. We have demonstrated a narrow band optical filter (2.56±0.15Hz) using an optical phase conjugation signal in the frequency modulation of a weak probe beam in the presence of two strong counterpropagating pump beams in rhodamine 110 doped boric acid glass thin films (10−4m). Both the pump beams and the probe beam are at a wavelength of 488nm (continuous-wave Ar+ laser). The probe beam frequency was detuned with a ramp signal using a piezoelectric transducer mirror.
An externally driven nonlinear Fabry-Perot interferometer with bistable transmission characteristics is probed through a weak optical field. The nonlinear interaction among the counterpropagating pump beams and the probe beam generates the phase-conjugated beam through intracavity degenerate four-wave mixing. It is shown that the phase-conjugated reflectivity displays bistability and that hysteresis as the driving field is varied in a continuous manner. The analysis is carried out in the mean-field approximation and is valid for the case of low absorption and a high-Qcavity. Both the dispersive and the absorptive effects arising due to saturation of the one-photon resonance are included, and their effect on the phase-conjugated reflectivity is discussed. The results show that, when a bistable device switches on, the reflectivity decreases by a few orders of magnitude. We discuss possible applications and suggest materials where the proposed effects can be seen.
Optical bistability in a CO2 infrared laser containing SF6 as a saturable intracavity absorber has been studied under dynamic conditions as a function of a time-dependent laser control parameter. The width of the optical bistability region, the fluctuations in the bistability switching values, and the dependence on the initial conditions have been investigated in this transient optical bistability. A numerical solution of the laser rate equations provides a good interpretation of the experimental results, but some experimental observations cannot be completely explained.