Applied Physics Letters

Demonstration of optical bistability with a nonlinear frustrated-total-reflection filter

Marc Haelterman, Ch. Waelbroeck

Published Feb 5, 1990• 11 citations

Abstract

The nonlinear frustrated-total-reflection filter is proposed as a remarkably simple all-optical computing element. Potential advantages of this device over nonlinear prism couplers and nonlinear thin films are presented. Optical bistability is experimentally demonstrated by using a liquid crystal as an optically nonlinear material.

DOI: 10.1063/1.102752

Related papers

Demonstration of optical bistability with a nonlinear prism coupler

Guy Vitrant, P. Arlot

A guided wave is launched through a nonlinear prism coupler whose prism-waveguide gap is filled with a liquid crystal. We observed that the intensity of the excited guided wave exhibits optical bistability when the incident intensity is modulated. This result, which is rather surprising when compared to recent theoretical predictions, is shown to arise from a thermal averaging process in the liquid crystal.

Journal of Applied PhysicsMay 15, 198732 citations

Optical bistability in the frustrated-total-reflection optical cavity

Bruno Bosacchi, Lorenzo M. Narducci

The nonlinear behavior of a frustrated-total-reflection (FTR) optical cavity containing a nonlinear Kerr medium is considered. It is shown that optical bistability may occur at lower incident power than in the nonlinear interface system. Other potential advantages of the resonant FTR configuration over other geometries are also briefly discussed.

Optics LettersJun 1, 198326 citations

Observation of optical bistability by prism excitation of a nonlinear film-guided wave

Peter Dannberg, E. Broese

The prism excitation of a film waveguide with an optically nonlinear substrate consisting of the nematic liquid crystal MBBA has been investigated experimentally. We observed bistable behavior with respect to the incident optical power and the coupling angle as well.

Applied OpticsApr 15, 198813 citations

Demonstration Of Optical Bistability By Resonant Excitation Of Nonlinear Guided Waves

Guy Vitrant, P. Arlot, R. Reinisch

A guided wave is launched through a nonlinear prism coupler whose prism-waveguide gap is filled with a liquid crystal. We observe that the intensity of the guided wave may exhibit optical bistability. Tests are realized which proove that the loops are true bistable cycles and not only hysteresis. The experimental results are in good agreement with plane-wave calculations. The disagreement with finite-width incident beam calculations is explained by a thermal averaging process within the liquid crystal.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIESep 22, 19872 citations

Optical bistability of a dielectric cladded thin film near the total internal reflection state: theory and experiment

I. C. Khoo, Jingya Hou

A nonlinear thin film bounded by two dielectric media can act as an optical switching bistable device owing to two mechanisms at work near the total internal reflection state. One is the intensity-dependent index change induced by the optical field in the thin film before transmission occurs, and the other is the nonlinear Fabry-Perot interference associated with the high reflectivities at the two interfaces just after transmission takes place.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-OpticsJan 1, 19850 citations

Bistable optical behavior of a nonlinear attenuated total reflection device: Resonant excitation of nonlinear guided modes

R. Reinisch, P. Arlot, Guy Vitrant +1 more

We study the prism excitation of a nonlinear waveguide. The nonlinear medium is the substrate which exhibits Kerr effect. Our results show that such a device experiences optical bistability. We also show that there exists a close link between optical bistability and resonant excitation of nonlinear guided modes propagating along this nonlinear waveguide.

Applied Physics LettersDec 15, 198525 citations