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

Applied Physics Letters

Hysteresis and optical bistability in degenerate four-wave mixing

Herbert G. Winful, John H. Marburger

Published Apr 15, 1980• 109 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The intensity-dependent refractive index leads to hysteresis and optical bistability in degenerate four-wave mixing processes (DFWM). Bistability may be observed in the phase conjugate signal or in the ’’spontaneous’’ oscillation possible in DFWM. This bistability does not require external resonant cavities.
DOI
10.1063/1.91625

Related papers

Large Signal Analysis of Phase Variations and Bistability in Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing

Kazuhito Tajima, Hsiung Hsu

Large signal analyses for degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) have been reported for sometime(1-3). It was nevertheless not obvious why, in specific examples(1,2). DFWM exhibits hysteresis and bistability characteristics, whereas in the case of ideal phase conjugation(3), there is no such instability. The objective of this paper is to show that hysteresis and bistability are caused by phase variations in the interaction. These phase variations are detrimental to phase conjugation and may Indeed up-set the basic characteristies of phase conjugation.

International Meeting on Instabilities and Dynamics of Lasers and Nonlinear Optical Systems•Jan 1, 1985•0 citations

Effect of nonlinear index changes on degenerate four-wave mixing

John H. Marburger, Juan Francisco Lam

Unavoidable refractive-index changes induced by the pump beams in DFWM reduce the gain and shift its spectral pass band when the forward and backward pump intensities are unequal. The full linearized DFWM equations also imply large non-phase-conjugate signals in a collinear geometry. These effects influence the onset and spectrum of ’’spontaneous oscillation.’’

Applied Physics Letters•Aug 1, 1979•47 citations

Bistable reflectivity of phase-conjugated signal through intracavity degenerate four-wave mixing

Govind Prasad Agrawal, Christos Flytzanis, Robert Frey +1 more

Through intracavity degenerate four-wave interaction the reflectivity of the phase-conjugated signal is shown to exhibit bistability and hysteresis when the driving pump field is varied in a continuous matter. The nonlinear medium inside the Fabry-Perot cavity may be in one- or two-photon resonance with the pump. We suggest suitable materials and discuss possible applications of the bistable response of the reflectivity.

Applied Physics Letters•Apr 1, 1981•28 citations

Theory of mode hopping and phase conjugation characteristics in degenerate four-wave mixing

K. Tajima, Hsiung Hsu

A large-signal theory of noncollinear degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) is presented, taking into account the pump depletion and the full nonlinear polarization density appropriate for the noncollinear geometry. Phases of all of the interacting fields, as well as the amplitudes, are obtained as functions of the spatial coordinate. Owing to the completeness of the set of analytic solutions, considerable physical insights into the physics of DFWM are obtained. The DFWM exhibits a variety of rich behaviors, including hysteresis and bistability, multistability, and multiple isolated branches. The authors show that all of these behaviors can be explained in a unified way, that is, in terms of mode hopping characteristics.>

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•Sep 1, 1988•0 citations

Bistability in intracavity resonant degenerate 4-wave mixing in Na vapor

Wulfhard K. Lange, E. Köster, J. Mlynek

Resonant degenerate 4-wave mixing (DFWM) has proven to be a powerful technique to generate phase conjugate (PC) wave fronts. In this contribution we consider the situation where the nonlinear medium is placed inside a Fabry-Perot cavity (Fig. 1). In this geometry, the intracavity pump intensity and, as a consequence, also the PC emission are expected to exhibit bistable switching /1,2/. With respect to practical applications, intracavity PC might be of interest, e.g., for probing an optical memory element or for Q-switching a resonator with a phase conjugating mirror. Only recently, however, first experimental studies on bistability in intracavity PC have been performed /3,4/.

Topical Meeting on Optical Bistability (OB)•Jan 1, 1985•0 citations

Bistability in Four-Wave Mixing Reflectivity of Photorefractive InP:Fe

Yi Ding, Bernhard Smandek, H.J. Eichlier

Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing (DFWM) in photorefractive materials has been shown to be an effective method to generate a phase conjugate beam and has been intensively studied both theoretically and experimentally [1-5].

Photorefractive Effects, Materials, and Devices•Jan 1, 1993•0 citations
Large signal analyses for degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) have been reported for sometime(1-3). It was nevertheless not obvious why, in specific examples(1,2). DFWM exhibits hysteresis and bistability characteristics, whereas in the case of ideal phase conjugation(3), there is no such instability. The objective of this paper is to show that hysteresis and bistability are caused by phase variations in the interaction. These phase variations are detrimental to phase conjugation and may Indeed up-set the basic characteristies of phase conjugation.
A large-signal theory of noncollinear degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) is presented, taking into account the pump depletion and the full nonlinear polarization density appropriate for the noncollinear geometry. Phases of all of the interacting fields, as well as the amplitudes, are obtained as functions of the spatial coordinate. Owing to the completeness of the set of analytic solutions, considerable physical insights into the physics of DFWM are obtained. The DFWM exhibits a variety of rich behaviors, including hysteresis and bistability, multistability, and multiple isolated branches. The authors show that all of these behaviors can be explained in a unified way, that is, in terms of mode hopping characteristics.>
Resonant degenerate 4-wave mixing (DFWM) has proven to be a powerful technique to generate phase conjugate (PC) wave fronts. In this contribution we consider the situation where the nonlinear medium is placed inside a Fabry-Perot cavity (Fig. 1). In this geometry, the intracavity pump intensity and, as a consequence, also the PC emission are expected to exhibit bistable switching /1,2/. With respect to practical applications, intracavity PC might be of interest, e.g., for probing an optical memory element or for Q-switching a resonator with a phase conjugating mirror. Only recently, however, first experimental studies on bistability in intracavity PC have been performed /3,4/.