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Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Transverse self-phase modulation and bistability in the transmission of a laser beam through a nonlinear thin film

I. C. Khoo, Jingya Hou, T. H. Liu, Ping Yan, R. R. Michael, G. M. Finn

Published Jun 1, 1987• 84 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a theoretical study, with reference to experimental results, of transverse self-phase modulation effects in the transmission of a laser beam through a nonlinear thin film. The occurrence of interference rings, intensification or dimming of the on-axis beam intensity, and transverse optical bistability in the presence of a feedback can all be systematically documented in terms of geometrical/optical parameter classifications. These studies provide further insights and useful guides for experimental studies.

DOI
10.1364/josab.4.000886

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We present a theoretical study, with reference to experimental results, of transverse self-phase modulation effects in the transmission of a laser beam through a nonlinear thin film. The occurrence of interference rings, intensification or dimming of the on-axis beam intensity, and transverse optical bistability in the presence of a feedback can all be systematically documented in terms of geometrical/optical parameter classifications. These studies provide further insights and useful guides for experimental studies.
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Recently, a new class of optical bistability, involving transverse self-phase modulation effect with a single reflection feedback, has been demonstrated. We present here a detailed theoretical calculation of the effect of saturation and nonlocality on the switching behavior and power. The technique employed is similar to that given in a recent paper but generalized to the case where the nonlinear refractive-index change contains a saturation parameter. It is found that both the switching powers and the hysteresis loops are considerably changed. Multiple close-by switching loops occur. Because of the extreme sensitivity of the transverse bistability switching on the width of the transverse nonlinear phase shift, we have also investigated the effect due to nonlocal response of the thin film subjected to a Gaussian laser beam. Specific detailed calculations were performed for nonlinear thin film where such nonlocal behaviors are expected (e.g., liquid crystal reorientation and diffusive processes in semiconductors). The most prominent result is that a more accurate prediction of the switching intensity is obtained if the nonlocal effects are included.
A transverse optical bistability would not occur with a plane-wave input; it is characterized by pronounced changes in transverse profiles, but not in total transmission.1 The systems studied here consist of a single feedback mirror and a nonlinear medium (Na vapor) sufficiently thin that diffraction is negligible during the nonlinear radially dependent phase encoding. With the input focused beyond (before) the Na and the mirror center of curvature on the input (output) side of the Na, self-defocusing (self-focusing) optical bistability is seen--but only when the feedback is nonconcentric, i.e., the feedback beam is displaced off-axis relative to the input beam. If cylindrical lenses are used to form an elongated focus in the Na, bistability is still seen. This suggests that one-transverse-dimension (ID) theories may be adequate to describe the system's steady-state and transient behavior. ID numerical simulations with nonconcentric feedback are under way.