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Applied Physics Letters

Overshoot switching, alternate switching, and subharmonic generation in bistable optical devices

J. A. Goldstone, P.-T. Ho, E. Garmire

Published Jul 15, 1980• 23 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrate both experimentally and theoretically a new mode of transient switching using rapid-onset light signals in a bistable optical device with two comparable time constants. Four distinct transmission modes for input pulse trains have been observed, one of which produces a subharmonic of the input pulse train by alternate overshoot switching.

DOI
10.1063/1.91797

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We demonstrate both experimentally and theoretically a new mode of transient switching using rapid-onset light signals in a bistable optical device with two comparable time constants. Four distinct transmission modes for input pulse trains have been observed, one of which produces a subharmonic of the input pulse train by alternate overshoot switching.
The switching dynamics of thermally induced optical bistability in ZnSe nonlinear interference filters is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The device, maintained on its low transmission level by a cw argon laser beam, is switched on its high transmission level by an external light pulse. Either a very fast switching or an important slowing down are obtained when the holding cw intensity or the switching pulse energy are well chosen. This variation of the switching times is analyzed theoretically and observed experimentally.
We develop equations for the dynamic response of the non-linear Fabry-Perot, including a finite material response time. Our model demonstrates overshoot switching for rapid onset signals. This phenomenon makes possible several new effects: switching below steady-state intensity values, output response determined by input onset characteristics, pulse trains transmitted in four distinct modes including alternate switching, and input phase switching up as well as down. Our model also exhibits critical slowing down which occurs, in general, at unstable equilibrium output intensities. Finally, we include coupled nonlinear cavities and analyze a three-mixror configuration which produces pulsed outputs for appropriate CW inputs.
In this paper we present a theory of optical subharmonic generation in a nonlinear Fabry-Perot resonator. Our approach, based on classical electrodynamics, leads to a Mathieu-Hill-type equation. This enables us to describe the generation of optical subharmonic oscillation in terms of a general formalism used to account for parametric phenomena, and to outline the possibility of using a nonlinear Fabry-Perot resonator as a memory device able to store the phase of a signal. The oscillation threshold condition is discussed and the rate of amplitude rise at start-up is evaluated.
The paper briefly reviews the major forms of optical bistability in active optical devices compatible for use in gigabit optical communication systems, and reports an entirely new optical bistability for the first time. Unlike previous devices, the two bistable states of the optical device are each a series of picosecond optical pulses at 1 GHz or greater repetition rates, and are distinguished by a half period temporal shift between their temporal positions in relation to a clock pulse. The bistable device is based on a gain switched semiconductor laser. Theoretical studies suggest 100-ps switching speeds might be achieved, and experimental results are reported indicating optically triggered switching times of 500 ps.