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Optical Bistability in a Nonlinear Resonator With Saturable Losses and Intensity-Dependent Refractive Index

S Bhargava, P. K. Datta, Antonella Bogoni, Luca Potì, R. Gangopadhyay, Claudio Porzi

Published Jan 1, 2009• 0 citations
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Abstract

We present numerical results relative to a bistable optical device comprised of an asymmetric Fabry-Perot cavity embedding a nonlinear optical medium. Both the real and imaginary part of the third order nonlinear susceptibility are considered in our calculations. Optimized device operation, expressed in terms of the contrast ratio between the two stable states, is then discussed as a function of the different cavity parameters. The presented method can be a useful tool for designing practical devices with application in the field of all-optical switching, optical regeneration and optical signal processing.

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We present numerical results relative to a bistable optical device comprised of an asymmetric Fabry-Perot cavity embedding a nonlinear optical medium. Both the real and imaginary part of the third order nonlinear susceptibility are considered in our calculations. Optimized device operation, expressed in terms of the contrast ratio between the two stable states, is then discussed as a function of the different cavity parameters. The presented method can be a useful tool for designing practical devices with application in the field of all-optical switching, optical regeneration and optical signal processing.
We present numerical results relative to a bistable optical device comprised of an asymmetric Fabry-Perot cavity embedding a nonlinear optical medium. Both the real and imaginary part of the third order nonlinear susceptibility are considered in our calculations. Optimized device operation, expressed in terms of the contrast ratio between the two stable states, is then discussed as a function of the different cavity parameters. The presented method can be a useful tool for designing practical devices with application in the field of all-optical switching, optical regeneration and optical signal processing.
When the output parameter of an optical device could be a multivalued function of the input parameter, this device can be working in an optical bistable status. The most typical optical bistable device is a Fabry–Perot cavity containing a nonlinear optical medium, the refractive index of which depends on the light intensity. Upon the action of an intense input optical beam, the transmitted (or reflected) intensity of this device may exhibit a nonlinear response to the incident light intensity variation and, especially under appropriate working conditions, the characteristic output/input curve may manifest a single (or multiple) hysteresis loop(s). Such type of optical bistable device can be used as an optical differential amplifier, optical switch, optical limiter, optical clipper, optical discriminator, or an optical memory element, depending on the chosen nonlinear medium and operation conditions.
Large optical nonlinearities occur in a variety of multiple quantum-well and n-i-p-i materials in which the nonlinearity saturates and there is residual absorption. The conditions for bistability when such media are placed with a Fabry-Perot etalon are discussed. It is proved analytically that the ratio of the optically induced saturated index change to the linear loss per unit length must be larger than the wavelength divided by pi . It is shown, however, that practical devices require twice this value. It is found that there is a tradeoff in cavity design between minimizing the switching intensity and minimizing the required nonlinear phase change. Finally, approximate expressions for the switching intensity versus detuning are given.>
Theoretical analysis is presented to search for the purely absorptive optical bistability in a Fabry-Perot cavity filled with a saturable absorber. A simple model of singlet absorption is 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 effects of saturable absorber parameters on the output light characteristics are studied and purely absorptive optical bistabilities are shown numerically to search for bistable behaviour. The simulated results are indications for promising applications in optical switches for all-optical communication networks.
A nonlinear distributively coupled resonator (NDCR) used as a bistable element is studied. The resonator is an integrated optics implementation of a nonlinear Fabry-Perot resonator with a variable reflectivity mirror. Under certain conditions, the intensity-dependent reflectivity and tuning of the resonator contribute constructively and enhance nonlinear properties of the device. Numerical methods are used to optimize NDCR design parameters and show that the critical intensity required for onset of bistability is reduced by 30% relative to a comparable regular Fabry-Perot. Similarly, the minimum required index change is reduced by 10%.>
We present a theory of optical bistability for a Fabry-Perot cavity containing a medium with nonlinear refraction but linear absorption with only plane-wave and slowly varying envelope approximations. An analytic expression for the critical intensity Icfor the onset of bistability is derived and used to compare cavity designs. It is shown that 1) the important material parameter for minimum Icis the ration_{2}/\alpha 2) the limit to Icis set by limitations on finesse due to inhomogeneities rather than the absorption itself, and 3) the cavity design which gives lowest Icfor a given finesse is that for which the mirror transmissivity equals the absorption per pass; at high finesse this design leads to a total peak cavity transmission of 1/4 when mirror reflectivities are equal.