Self-pulsing instability is reported in an experiment in which two-level atoms couple to a single mode of a traveling-wave resonator to produce optical bistability. The threshold for the onset of oscillation together with the characteristics of the dynamical state are described. The self-pulsing instability observed is the analog in an absorbing system of the single-mode laser instability.

Physical Review LettersDec 31, 198469 citations

A Simple Experiment of Simulating Optical Bistability with an Oscilloscope and Photodiodes

Ching-Sheu Wang, Chih-Sheng Lau, Jow-Tsong Shy +1 more

This paper presents a novel and simple hybrid optical bistable system which is composed of an oscilloscope and photodiodes. It allows us to easily control its parameters, including transmission function, feedback amplification, and time of delay feedback. Here, we will present the features of bistability, multistability and self-oscillation in this system and also the dynamical behaviors induced by the effect of the delay in the feedback loop of this optical bistable system.

Japanese Journal of Applied PhysicsDec 1, 19912 citations