Observations of optical bistability are reported for a system composed of multiple atomic beams passing through a high-finesse optical cavity. Both the transmitted power and the intracavity fluorescent intensity have been recorded as functions of incident laser power for zero cavity and atomic detunings. A quantitative study has been made of the evolution of the steady-state switching intensities from well below the critical onset of bistability to well above this point. The results show reasonable agreement with a Gaussian-beam theory of optical bistability, but systematic departures are noted.Observations of optical bistability are reported for a system composed of multiple atomic beams passing through a high-finesse optical cavity. Both the transmitted power and the intracavity fluorescent intensity have been recorded as functions of incident laser power for zero cavity and atomic detunings. A quantitative study has been made of the evolution of the steady-state switching intensities from well below the critical onset of bistability to well above this point. The results show reasonable agreement with a Gaussian-beam theory of optical bistability, but systematic departures are noted.

Optics LettersAug 1, 198257 citations

Optical bistability in a gaussian cavity mode

R. J. Ballagh, J. Cooper, M. W. Hamilton +2 more

Optics CommunicationsApr 1, 198151 citations

Inhomogeneously broadened ring-cavity optical-bistability system with a Gaussian transverse intensity profile

Fan Xijun, Tan Baoguo, Yuan Zhifang +1 more

The steady-state bistability and the evolution of the field envelope of a ring-cavity optical-bistable system including the effect of the transverse radiation field and the effect of an inhomogeneously broadened atomic medium are studied by means of the mean-field approximation and dressed-mode theory in this paper. Our study shows that the bistable region enlarges with an increase of the ratio ${\mathit{r}}_{0}$ / ${\mathit{w}}_{0}$ ( ${\mathit{r}}_{0}$ is the radius of the cylindrical atomic sample and ${\mathit{w}}_{0}$ the beam waist of the Gaussian beam), and decreases with increasing width of the inhomogeneously broadened line. The transverse-field effect has more impact on the magnitude of the bistable region than the inhomogeneous broadening under certain conditions. In the case of two unstable modes, the evolution of the field envelope before reaching the stable oscillation regime differs remarkably from that in the case of the plane-wave approximation with a homogeneously broadened atomic medium.The steady-state bistability and the evolution of the field envelope of a ring-cavity optical-bistable system including the effect of the transverse radiation field and the effect of an inhomogeneously broadened atomic medium are studied by means of the mean-field approximation and dressed-mode theory in this paper. Our study shows that the bistable region enlarges with an increase of the ratio ${\mathit{r}}_{0}$/${\mathit{w}}_{0}$ (${\mathit{r}}_{0}$ is the radius of the cylindrical atomic sample and ${\mathit{w}}_{0}$ the beam waist of the Gaussian beam), and decreases with increasing width of the inhomogeneously broadened line. The transverse-field effect has more impact on the magnitude of the bistable region than the inhomogeneous broadening under certain conditions. In the case of two unstable modes, the evolution of the field envelope before reaching the stable oscillation regime differs remarkably from that in the case of the plane-wave approximation with a homogeneously broadened atomic medium.

Physical Review AAug 1, 19915 citations

Theory of Optical Bistability

R. Bonifacio, L. A. Lugiato

Topics in current physicsJan 1, 1982140 citations

Theory of Optical Bistability

R. Bonifacio, L. A. Lugiato, M. Gronchi

Springer series in optical sciences/SPringer series in optical sciencesJan 1, 197951 citations

Absorptive optical bistability in organic media under the influence of transverse effects

Eliška Jurisová, Jarmila Müllerová

The influence of transverse effects on optical bistability in Fabry-Perot cavity filled with saturable absorber was numerically investigated. A simple model of singlet absorption was used on numerically solving the relationships between the input and output light fields. The proposed model corresponds well to organic compounds considered as novel optical materials with third-order optical nonlinearities. The proposed optically bistable systems were demonstrated for two organic dyes of fluorescein and rhodamine 6G dispersed in transparent solid matrices. Their optically bistable behaviour was anticipated considering the homogeneous and Gaussian distribution of light energy in the radial direction. Most notable cases are discussed related to the changes of the Gaussian beam radii, positive feedback conditions in the Fabry-Perot cavity and considering linear and nonlinear absorption parameters of the organic media. The simulation results enabled us to establish numerically thresholds of Fabry-Perot mirror reflectance and Gaussian beam radius for both nonlinear organic materials, above which absorptive optical bistability can occur. The results can be helpful in design of optical switches for all-optical communication networks.The influence of transverse effects on optical bistability in Fabry-Perot cavity filled with saturable absorber was numerically investigated. A simple model of singlet absorption was used on numerically solving the relationships between the input and output light fields. The proposed model corresponds well to organic compounds considered as novel optical materials with third-order optical nonlinearities. The proposed optically bistable systems were demonstrated for two organic dyes of fluorescein and rhodamine 6G dispersed in transparent solid matrices. Their optically bistable behaviour was anticipated considering the homogeneous and Gaussian distribution of light energy in the radial direction. Most notable cases are discussed related to the changes of the Gaussian beam radii, positive feedback conditions in the Fabry-Perot cavity and considering linear and nonlinear absorption parameters of the organic media. The simulation results enabled us to establish numerically thresholds of Fabry-Perot mirror reflectance and Gaussian beam radius for both nonlinear organic materials, above which absorptive optical bistability can occur. The results can be helpful in design of optical switches for all-optical communication networks.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIESep 24, 20101 citation

{\mathit{r}}_{0}

{\mathit{w}}_{0}

(

{\mathit{r}}_{0}

is the radius of the cylindrical atomic sample and

{\mathit{w}}_{0}

the beam waist of the Gaussian beam), and decreases with increasing width of the inhomogeneously broadened line. The transverse-field effect has more impact on the magnitude of the bistable region than the inhomogeneous broadening under certain conditions. In the case of two unstable modes, the evolution of the field envelope before reaching the stable oscillation regime differs remarkably from that in the case of the plane-wave approximation with a homogeneously broadened atomic medium.