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Optical bistability based on self-focusing

John E. Bjorkholm, P. W. E. Smith, W. J. Tomlinson +3 more

We have experimentally demonstrated a fundamentally new type of intrinsic optical bistability. The operation of this new class of device is based on self-focusing of a laser beam as it propagates through a nonlinear medium. It further differs from previous optical devices which exhibited intrinsic bistability (only optical feedback, no electrical feedback) in that the earlier devices have all required resonant optical cavities; no such cavity is required for this new type of device.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-OpticsJan 1, 19811 citation

Optical bistability that is due to mutual self-action of counterpropagating beams of light

A. E. Kaplan

A new kind of optical bistability is discussed that is based on mutual self-action of light beams in a nonlinear medium. In particular, fundamentally new devices are proposed that use two counterpropagating incident beams and no reflection feedback. Self-focusing (or self-defocusing) and self-bending provide bistability with positive or negative nonlinearity.

Optics LettersAug 1, 198160 citations

Optical bistability based on self-focusing

John E. Bjorkholm, P. W. E. Smith, W. Tomlinson +3 more

We experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of intrinsic optical bistability that requires no resonant optical cavity. Operation is based on mutual self-focusing of counterpropagating laser beams in a nonlinear medium. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of optical bistability. 1 The operation of this new class of devices is based on self-focusing of light; the feedback required for bistability is provided by an apertured retroreflector. These devices exhibit intrinsic bistability (the feedback is optical) and are related to nonlinear waveguide devices proposed earlier. 2 Self-focusing occurs when a light beam having a nonuniform spatial profile (such as a Gaussian laser beam) and sufficient intensity propagates through a nonlinear medium having an intensity-dependent index of refraction. 3 Previously proposed devices that exhibitedWe experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of intrinsic optical bistability that requires no resonant optical cavity. Operation is based on mutual self-focusing of counterpropagating laser beams in a nonlinear medium. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fundamentally new type of optical bistability. 1 The operation of this new class of devices is based on self-focusing of light; the feedback required for bistability is provided by an apertured retroreflector. These devices exhibit intrinsic bistability (the feedback is optical) and are related to nonlinear waveguide devices proposed earlier. 2 Self-focusing occurs when a light beam having a nonuniform spatial profile (such as a Gaussian laser beam) and sufficient intensity propagates through a nonlinear medium having an intensity-dependent index of refraction. 3 Previously proposed devices that exhibited

IEEE Journal of Quantum ElectronicsDec 1, 19810 citations

Transverse optical bistability upon self-defocusing of counterpropagating beams in a nonlinear medium

Anatoly A. Borshch, М. С. Бродин, V. P. Lukomskiǐ +1 more

Soviet Journal of Quantum ElectronicsApr 1, 19870 citations

Transverse optical bistability during the self-defocusing of counterpropagating light beams in a nonlinear medium

Anatoly A. Borshch, M. S. Borodin, V. I. Semioshko

Technical Physics LettersMar 1, 19860 citations

Optical bistability due to mutual self-action of counterpropagated light beams

A. E. Kaplan

IEEE Journal of Quantum ElectronicsDec 1, 19811 citation

Optical bistability based on self-focusing

Abstract

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Optical bistability based on self-focusing

Abstract

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