A theoretical study of linear optical systems and bistable optical devices

Mark D. McNeill, Ting‐Chung Poon

Previous research with acousto-optic hybrid optical/electronic (HOE) bistable devices has been directed towards operation in the first Bragg regime.1 We have demonstrated several simulations and experiments to study a HOE bistable system in the second Bragg regime. In this bistable system, the acousto-optic device operates in the second order with the light incident at twice the Bragg angle. To achieve optical bistability, the second order diffracted light is detected by a photodetector, amplified with a linear amplifier, summed with a bias voltage, and feedback to the acousto-optic device. The operation of the acousto-optic device can be explained by a set of coupled differential equations. Likewise, the feedback loop can be modeled with a feedback equation. The simultaneous solution of these equations provided our theoretical model. In this talk, we will compare theoretical and experimental results, as well as compare first order and second order operation.

P. W. E. Smith

Yonggui Li, Hongjun Zhang, Junhui Yang +2 more

In this paper, we describe a hybrid nonlinear P-P Bistable Optical Device (BOD), the length of its cavity is controllable. The dynamic equations of the system and the equilibrium splution which shows the optical bistable nature are given. The bis-tability and linear modulation characteristics are discussed. The stability of the equilibrium state and the "critical slowing down" effect of transient behavior are analysed. The experimental demonstrations are in agreement with the theoretical evaluations.

Daniel F. Walls, P. D. Drummond, K. J. McNeil

W. Lukosz, V. Briguet

We have demonstrated a new mechanism for bistability in integrated optics, viz., light-induced-desorption of molecules from the waveguide surface by which the effective guide index N is changed. Bistability occurs if the desorption rate depends linearly on the incoupled power P' in an input coupler device (see Fig.1), and on the intracavity power in an IO Fabry Perot or ring resonator. This follows theoretically from an analysis analogous to that of the bistable radiation pressure driven waveguide pendulum.1

Nasser N. Peyghambarian, H. M. Gibbs