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Europhysics Letters (EPL)

Switching Dynamics of Dispersive Optical Bistable Devices, Using Three-Level Systems as Active Media

B. Hönerlage, J. B. Grün

Published Mar 15, 1987• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We calculate within a mean-field theory the transient transmission properties of a three-level system, placed inside a Fabry-Pérot resonator. We consider the case where a holding beam defines the state of transmission and a pulse with a Gaussian temporal shape switches the device to the other stable state. We apply the problem to CuCl, where the different relaxation times are quite well established.

DOI
10.1209/0295-5075/3/6/006

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We calculate within a mean-field theory the transient transmission properties of a three-level system, placed inside a Fabry-Pérot resonator. We consider the case where a holding beam defines the state of transmission and a pulse with a Gaussian temporal shape switches the device to the other stable state. We apply the problem to CuCl, where the different relaxation times are quite well established.
The theoretical study of the nonlinear dielectric function of three-level systems has shown a memory effect which depends on the inversion of the exciton and biexciton populations created during the excitation and on the relaxation times of these quasiparticles. This effect is studied at low temperatures (2 K) by measuring the time evolution of the transmission of a beam through a CuCl sample. In addition, it has important consequences on the switching properties of bistable devices using CuCl as the active medium.
A general theory of optical bistability for a homogeneously broadened two-level system in a Fabry-Perot interferometer is presented. Both absorptive and dispersive mechanisms are included, and in the mean-field approximation a cubic state equation is derived relating transmitted intensity to all physical parameters. From the perspective of catastrophe theory, this equation describes an elementary cusp catastrophe. We show that bistable switching may follow not only from sweeping the incident laser intensity, but also with continuous variation of atomic or cavity detuning, or atomic density, with the laser intensity fixed. For the case having incident intensity as the variable control, the domain of bistability is studied in some detail as a function of the remaining fixed parameters. Stability criteria are considered for the general case including both absorption and dispersion.
Abstract An investigation is made of the transmission properties of a test beam through CuCl samples and through Fabry‐Perot etalons containing CuCl under simultaneous excitation of a pump beam. For appropriately chosen photon energies of the two beams, the transmission of the test beam through the sample decreases due to nonlinear absorption, or increases when the sample is in a F.P. resonator. The switching behaviour indicates that the nonlinear absorption and dispersion properties of CuCl depend on the exciton and biexciton population dynamics.
We study the time variation of the nonlinear absorption due to the creation of biexcitons by a high-intensity nanosecond pulsed laser in CuCl. We show that this variation is different at the beginning and at the end of the laser pulse. This memory effect depends on the photon energy and on the intensity of the laser beam. An explanation based on the time dependence of the population is suggested. We also make a time analysis of a bistable device composed of a sample of CuCl placed in a Fabry-Pérot cavity. The switching times measured are of some hundredths of picoseconds. We stress the importance of the absorption present in the cavity and show that it may destroy the dispersive bistability. Finally, we give some trends of the spatial variation of hysteresis in the transverse section of the laser beam.
For an optical bistable two-level system in a Fabry-Perot cavity we analyze the dependence of the transmitted field amplitude on three experimental parameters: the frequency of the incident radiation, the transition atomic frequency, and the length of the F.P. cavity. In each case the remaining parameters (including the input amplitude) are assumed to be fixed. Both absorptive and dispersive contributions are included, and in the mean-field approximation a cubic state equation should be solved. An explicit analytical expression for the transmitted intensity as a function of all physical parameters is obtained. Typical results are presented in graphical form. The main characteristic features of the optical hysteresis cycles are described and new possibilities for optical device design are examined. Use of the above explicit solution for stability analyses is briefly discussed.