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 A

Optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from nonlinear microparticles

K. M. Leung

Published Apr 1, 1986• 101 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from Rayleigh-particle-sized microparticles having an intensity-dependent refractive index is theoretically investigated. For particles near plasmon resonances optical switching also occurs by sweeping the frequency across the resonance at fixed incident intensity above a certain threshold. Several orders of magnitudes of reduction in the switching intensities are possible near sharp resonances, and an optical transistor mode with a very sizable differential gain can be achieved.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.33.2461

Related papers

Optical bistable interaction of laser radiation with microparticles

K. M. Leung

Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from Rayleigh‐sized microparticles having an intensity‐dependent refractive index is theoretically investigated. For particles near plasmon resonances optical switching occurs with several orders of magnitude reduction in the switching intensity. Besides acting as an optical memory element whose size is small compared with the incident wavelength, the microparticle also exhibits an optical transistor mode with a sizable differential gain.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 1987•0 citations

Optical bistable interaction of laser radiation with micro-particles

K. M. Leung

Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of laser radiation from microparticles having an intensity-dependent refractive index is investigated.1 We work only with particles whose radius is small compared with the wavelength of the incident radiation. Our calculation is based on the assumption that the electric field inside the particle is in fact uniform (as is the case in the linear regime). For particles with fairly sharp surface piasmon resonances, optical bistability can occur if the frequency detuning is above a certain critical value. The threshold intensity is found to be reduced by several orders of magnitude compared with the non-resonant case. Optical switching can also occur at fixed intensity above the threshold by sweeping the frequency across the resonant frequency. Right at the critical detuning frequency, the particle can act as an optical transistor with a very sizable differential gain. Spherical1 as well as elongated microparticles2 are studied. In the latter case, optical tristability can also be achieved, and there are, in addition, interesting shape dependence and orientational effects.

International Laser Science Conference•Jan 1, 1986•0 citations

Analytical model for optical bistability in nonlinear metal nano-antennae involving Kerr materials

Fei Zhou, Ye Liu, Zhi-Yuan Li +1 more

Optical bistability at nanoscale is a promising way to realize optical switching, a key component of integrated nanophotonic devices. In this work we present an analytical model for optical bistability in a metal nano-antenna involving Kerr nonlinear medium based on detailed analysis of the correlation between the incident and extinction light intensity under surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The model allows one to construct a clear picture on how the threshold, contrast, and other characteristics of optical bistability are influenced by the nonlinear coefficient, incident light intensity, local field enhancement factor, SPR peak width, and other physical parameters of the nano-antenna. It shows that the key towards low threshold power and high contrast optical bistability in the nanosystem is to reduce the SPR peak width. This can be achieved by reducing the absorption of metal materials or introducing gain media into nanosystems.

Optics Express•Jun 7, 2010•94 citations

Enhancement of optical bistability by periodic layering

Roberto Camassa, M. Gregory Forest, Robert E. Knapp

The authors study analytically and numerically the effect of a periodic perturbation in the index of refraction of a nonlinear optical medium. Using a one-dimensional model for monochromatic waves incident on the medium, they find that near resonance between the perturbation and the modulation of the electric field there can be a significant enhancement of optical bistability in the low intensity regime. In particular, they discuss in detail the case of the primary resonance, which is responsible for the most significant effects, and show how one can optimize the bistability curve for the implementation of an optical switch, based on the information provided by the resonance structure.

Nonlinearity•May 1, 1992•1 citation

Optical bistability in a nonlinear-shell-coated metallic nanoparticle

Hongli Chen, You‐Ming Zhang, Baile Zhang +1 more

We provide a self-consistent mean field approximation in the framework of Mie scattering theory to study the optical bistability of a metallic nanoparticle coated with a nonlinear shell. We demonstrate that the nanoparticle coated with a weakly nonlinear shell exhibits optical bistability in a broad range of incident optical intensity. This optical bistability critically relies on the geometry of the shell-coated nanoparticle, especially the fractional volume of the metallic core. The incident wavelength can also affect the optical bistability. Through an optimization-like process, we find a design with broader bistable region and lower threshold field by adjusting the size of the nonlinear shell, the fractional volume of the metallic core, and the incident wavelength. These results may find potential applications in optical bistable devices such as all-optical switches, optical transistors and optical memories.

Scientific Reports•Feb 24, 2016•26 citations

Optical bistability with surface plasmons

Gary Mathew Wysin, Henry J. Simon, Robert T. Deck

We theoretically examine bistable operation in reflection with simultaneous excitation of the surface-plasmon mode at the interface with a nonlinear Kerr medium. Bistability may occur for an incident power an order of magnitude below that reported previously for a grazing-incidence geometry.

Optics Letters•Jan 1, 1981•83 citations
Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from Rayleigh-particle-sized microparticles having an intensity-dependent refractive index is theoretically investigated. For particles near plasmon resonances optical switching also occurs by sweeping the frequency across the resonance at fixed incident intensity above a certain threshold. Several orders of magnitudes of reduction in the switching intensities are possible near sharp resonances, and an optical transistor mode with a very sizable differential gain can be achieved.
Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from Rayleigh‐sized microparticles having an intensity‐dependent refractive index is theoretically investigated. For particles near plasmon resonances optical switching occurs with several orders of magnitude reduction in the switching intensity. Besides acting as an optical memory element whose size is small compared with the incident wavelength, the microparticle also exhibits an optical transistor mode with a sizable differential gain.
Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of laser radiation from microparticles having an intensity-dependent refractive index is investigated.1 We work only with particles whose radius is small compared with the wavelength of the incident radiation. Our calculation is based on the assumption that the electric field inside the particle is in fact uniform (as is the case in the linear regime). For particles with fairly sharp surface piasmon resonances, optical bistability can occur if the frequency detuning is above a certain critical value. The threshold intensity is found to be reduced by several orders of magnitude compared with the non-resonant case. Optical switching can also occur at fixed intensity above the threshold by sweeping the frequency across the resonant frequency. Right at the critical detuning frequency, the particle can act as an optical transistor with a very sizable differential gain. Spherical1 as well as elongated microparticles2 are studied. In the latter case, optical tristability can also be achieved, and there are, in addition, interesting shape dependence and orientational effects.
Optical bistability at nanoscale is a promising way to realize optical switching, a key component of integrated nanophotonic devices. In this work we present an analytical model for optical bistability in a metal nano-antenna involving Kerr nonlinear medium based on detailed analysis of the correlation between the incident and extinction light intensity under surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The model allows one to construct a clear picture on how the threshold, contrast, and other characteristics of optical bistability are influenced by the nonlinear coefficient, incident light intensity, local field enhancement factor, SPR peak width, and other physical parameters of the nano-antenna. It shows that the key towards low threshold power and high contrast optical bistability in the nanosystem is to reduce the SPR peak width. This can be achieved by reducing the absorption of metal materials or introducing gain media into nanosystems.
The authors study analytically and numerically the effect of a periodic perturbation in the index of refraction of a nonlinear optical medium. Using a one-dimensional model for monochromatic waves incident on the medium, they find that near resonance between the perturbation and the modulation of the electric field there can be a significant enhancement of optical bistability in the low intensity regime. In particular, they discuss in detail the case of the primary resonance, which is responsible for the most significant effects, and show how one can optimize the bistability curve for the implementation of an optical switch, based on the information provided by the resonance structure.
We provide a self-consistent mean field approximation in the framework of Mie scattering theory to study the optical bistability of a metallic nanoparticle coated with a nonlinear shell. We demonstrate that the nanoparticle coated with a weakly nonlinear shell exhibits optical bistability in a broad range of incident optical intensity. This optical bistability critically relies on the geometry of the shell-coated nanoparticle, especially the fractional volume of the metallic core. The incident wavelength can also affect the optical bistability. Through an optimization-like process, we find a design with broader bistable region and lower threshold field by adjusting the size of the nonlinear shell, the fractional volume of the metallic core, and the incident wavelength. These results may find potential applications in optical bistable devices such as all-optical switches, optical transistors and optical memories.