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Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Optically bistable interference filters: optimization considerations

B. S. Wherrett, David C. Hutchings, D. Russell

Published Feb 1, 1986• 80 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Design considerations for optically bistable narrow-bandpass interference filters are surveyed. Optimization for low incident laser irradiance levels is presented in terms of the reflective stacks, the spacer thickness, operational laser frequencies, the semiconductor thin-film materials, and the laser spot size. Conditions under which either thermal or electronic nonlinearities dominate are described.

DOI
10.1364/josab.3.000351

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Design considerations for optically bistable narrow-bandpass interference filters are surveyed. Optimization for low incident laser irradiance levels is presented in terms of the reflective stacks, the spacer thickness, operational laser frequencies, the semiconductor thin-film materials, and the laser spot size. Conditions under which either thermal or electronic nonlinearities dominate are described.
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Three mathematical models for calculating and designing bistable optical devices (BODs) of nonlinear interference filters are compared and the necessity of using the accuracy matrix model based on the principle of thin-film optics to study optical bistabilities of nonlinear interference filters is confirmed. The relationships of important parameters, such as δl'0, δlt, and δl0 with the initial detuning δ, which are very helpful in designing the BODs, are calculated and plotted. The dispersive relations of ZnSe thin-film are introduced into the method to make the theoretical method self-consistent. Finally, experimental results of a BOD of nonlinear interference filter whose construction is calculated using this method are given.