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

Physical review. B, Condensed matter

Theory of optical bistability in a weakly nonlinear composite medium

David J. Bergman, Ohad Levy, D. Stroud

Published Jan 1, 1994• 87 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A variational approach is used to discuss bistable behavior in composite media where one component is a nonlinear dielectric while the other has a field independent complex dielectric constant with a negative real part. Under certain conditions, the physical parameters may be adjusted so that bistability appears even though the nonlinear behavior is everywhere weak, thus allowing it to be treated as a small perturbation to the leading linear behavior.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.49.129

Related papers

Optical Bistability in Nonlinear Composite Media

Tao Pan, Zhenya Li

The mean-field approximation method is proposed to investigate the intrinsic optical bistability in nonlinear composite media, which consists of nonlinear metallic granules embedded in nonlinear dielectric host. The effect of nonlinear susceptibility on the bistable behavior is analyzed. It is found that nonlinear metallic granules and nonlinear host medium have different effects and the nonlinearity of metallic granules is more effective in minimizing the threshould value of the bistable behavior. We also investigate the effect of the shape factor of metallic granules on the threshold value.

physica status solidi (b)•Apr 1, 2000•7 citations

Remarks on Optical Nonlinearity and Bistability in Composite Media

G. Jungk

Abstract Necessary conditions for intrinsic (without external feedback) bistability are discussed for the field‐intensity dependent dielectric function within the most simple homogeneous model. Some of the restrictions imposed in this way can be relaxed in composite media by local‐field corrections. The results are illustrated with stationary bistable reflectivities and transmissivities as function of the impinging light intensity.

physica status solidi (b)•Dec 1, 1988•5 citations

Optical Bistability in Composite Media

G. Jungk

Abstract Optically bistable behaviour is demonstrated for systems consisting of optically nonlinear microcrystallites embedded in an optically linear metal or dielectric. The most simple version of the local‐field correction serves as feedback mechanism thus avoiding external mirrors. The dielectric function for macroscopic samples is calculated with Garnett's effective medium theory. Numerical examples for the reflectivity and the transmissivity are given for an embedded dielectric with exciton‐like nonlinearity.

physica status solidi (b)•Mar 1, 1988•5 citations

Propagation power and optical bistability in nonlinear dielectric optical waveguides

Iu S

A group of new equations about the field distribution and the dispersion relation as well as the propagation power is presented. The optical bistability is discussed for the nonlinear TE waves guided by a thin linear dielectric film bounded by nonlinear media.

Acta Optica Sinica•Jan 1, 1992•0 citations

Intrinsic Optical Bistability in Nonlinear Media

J. A. Goldstone, E. Garmire

A general class of optically bistable systems is described which operates without feedback and is based on the intrinsic response of certain nonlinear media. A detailed analysis of one such medium is presented which demonstrates that bistability may result in virtually all macroscopic optical and material parameters.

Physical Review Letters•Aug 27, 1984•91 citations

Nonlinear optical properties of spatially distributed particle composites

Charles M. Bowden

We examine the nonlinear dielectric response of small spherical grains ϵ m embedded in a linear dielectric ϵ d . The models for the spherical grains are a Kerr medium1,2 and a two-level system.3 The expression for the dielectric function ϵ m is dependent of the grain size; in addition it also depends on the local electric field E L . This field is related to the external applied field E0 by the equation E L = (3ϵ d /ϵ m + 2ϵ d )E0. The steady-state equation for the averaged external field is ∇2E0 + (ω2/c2)ϵ*E0 = 0, where ω is the frequency of the field, ϵ* is the dielectric function from the effective medium approximation, and it is obtained from the self-consistency relation4 〈ϵ(r) − ϵ*/ϵ(r) + 2ϵ*〉 = 0; the angular brackets denote an average taken over the ensemble of dielectric spheres distributed in a small volume. Using the slowly varying-envelope approximation we solve these equations for a distribution of grain radii and the affect this has on the effective optical nonlinearities. In particular, we show its effect on the optical bistability for these composite systems.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1987•0 citations
A variational approach is used to discuss bistable behavior in composite media where one component is a nonlinear dielectric while the other has a field independent complex dielectric constant with a negative real part. Under certain conditions, the physical parameters may be adjusted so that bistability appears even though the nonlinear behavior is everywhere weak, thus allowing it to be treated as a small perturbation to the leading linear behavior.
The mean-field approximation method is proposed to investigate the intrinsic optical bistability in nonlinear composite media, which consists of nonlinear metallic granules embedded in nonlinear dielectric host. The effect of nonlinear susceptibility on the bistable behavior is analyzed. It is found that nonlinear metallic granules and nonlinear host medium have different effects and the nonlinearity of metallic granules is more effective in minimizing the threshould value of the bistable behavior. We also investigate the effect of the shape factor of metallic granules on the threshold value.
Abstract Optically bistable behaviour is demonstrated for systems consisting of optically nonlinear microcrystallites embedded in an optically linear metal or dielectric. The most simple version of the local‐field correction serves as feedback mechanism thus avoiding external mirrors. The dielectric function for macroscopic samples is calculated with Garnett's effective medium theory. Numerical examples for the reflectivity and the transmissivity are given for an embedded dielectric with exciton‐like nonlinearity.
We examine the nonlinear dielectric response of small spherical grains ϵ m embedded in a linear dielectric ϵ d . The models for the spherical grains are a Kerr medium1,2 and a two-level system.3 The expression for the dielectric function ϵ m is dependent of the grain size; in addition it also depends on the local electric field E L . This field is related to the external applied field E0 by the equation E L = (3ϵ d /ϵ m + 2ϵ d )E0. The steady-state equation for the averaged external field is ∇2E0 + (ω2/c2)ϵ*E0 = 0, where ω is the frequency of the field, ϵ* is the dielectric function from the effective medium approximation, and it is obtained from the self-consistency relation4 〈ϵ(r) − ϵ*/ϵ(r) + 2ϵ*〉 = 0; the angular brackets denote an average taken over the ensemble of dielectric spheres distributed in a small volume. Using the slowly varying-envelope approximation we solve these equations for a distribution of grain radii and the affect this has on the effective optical nonlinearities. In particular, we show its effect on the optical bistability for these composite systems.