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Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Controlling optical bistability, multistability and all-optical switching through multi-photon excitation process

Suman Garain, Suman Mondal, Kalan Mal, Subhasish Roy, Amitava Bandyopadhyay

Published Aug 24, 2023• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract We present a theoretical study on optical bistability (OB), optical multistability (OM) and tunable all-optical switching in a four-level cascade type atomic system. The density matrix formalism is used to find out the response of the probe laser field. We explore OB and OM under unidirectional optical ring cavity configuration. A comparison between the effects of electromagnetically induced transparency and electromagnetically induced absorption windows on OB is presented. The threshold of OB and the hysteresis width can be tuned effectively by adjusting the applied coherent fields. A transition from OB to OM and vice-versa can be easily achieved by tuning the field parameters and the atomic cooperation parameter. Dynamic control of the probe laser propagating through the medium has been investigated. We also demonstrate conversion of a continuous wave input probe field into output switched pulse. The ON/OFF time of the switched probe pulse can also be controlled by tuning the field parameters.

DOI
10.1088/1361-6455/acf3c1

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Abstract We present a theoretical study on optical bistability (OB), optical multistability (OM) and tunable all-optical switching in a four-level cascade type atomic system. The density matrix formalism is used to find out the response of the probe laser field. We explore OB and OM under unidirectional optical ring cavity configuration. A comparison between the effects of electromagnetically induced transparency and electromagnetically induced absorption windows on OB is presented. The threshold of OB and the hysteresis width can be tuned effectively by adjusting the applied coherent fields. A transition from OB to OM and vice-versa can be easily achieved by tuning the field parameters and the atomic cooperation parameter. Dynamic control of the probe laser propagating through the medium has been investigated. We also demonstrate conversion of a continuous wave input probe field into output switched pulse. The ON/OFF time of the switched probe pulse can also be controlled by tuning the field parameters.
We theoretically investigate optical bistability (OB) and multistability (OM) behaviour of a closed-loop configuration atomic system driven by a degenerate coupling field and a degenerate probe field inside a unidirectional ring cavity. It is found that the OB and OM behaviour can be controlled by adjusting the intensity and the frequency detuning of the coupling field, respectively. Interestingly, our numerical results show that it is easy to realize the transition from OB to OM or vice versa by adjusting the intensity of the coupling field under a appropriate frequency detuning. The effect of the atomic cooperation parameter on the OB behaviour is also discussed.
In this paper, we study the formation of optical bistability (OB) and optical multistability (OM) in a degenerate four-level atomic system by an external magnetic field that is excited by a probe laser field, a coupling laser field and a signal laser field. The coupling field can cause electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) for the probe field in the atomic medium, while the signal field and/or external magnetic field can switch between single-EIT and two-EIT regimes. Based on these properties, OB and OM effects can be formed at two different frequency regions of the probe field (two channels). By adjusting the magnetic field or the intensity and the frequency of laser fields, the threshold intensity and the width of OB or OM can also be changed simply. The model can be useful for experimental observations and applications in modern photonic devices.
Abstract This work presents a theoretical study of optical bistability (OB) and multistability (OM) in a four-level N-type atomic system embedded in a unidirectional ring cavity, with particular attention to the role of quantum interference (QI) between decay channels. Going beyond earlier reports that focused on single-parameter or cavity-based control without considering quantum interference or multistability, we develop a unified framework investigating how the cooperative parameter C, probe and control field detunings (Δ₂, Δ₃), non-radiative decay rates (γ₀, γ₀₀), quantum interference (P), pump/control Rabi frequencies (Ω₁, Ω₂), and relative phase (φ) collectively govern OB and OM thresholds. Systematic analysis reveals that increasing C broadens hysteresis loops and raises thresholds, thereby enhancing switching stability, while quantum interference significantly lowers the OB threshold, enabling bistability at lower input intensities. Non-radiative decay rates γ₀ and γ₀₀, pump/control Rabi frequencies, and the relative phase φ further provide flexible switching between bistable and multistable regimes. Notably, we demonstrate that OB ↔ OM transitions can be induced through multiple independent pathways beyond phase control alone—including tuning of the cooperative parameter, non-radiative decay rates, and pump/control field intensities—extending the phase-driven switching mechanism established in earlier N-type studies to a broader, multi-parameter control framework. Furthermore, probe and control field detunings (Δ₂, Δ₃) enable dynamic tuning of the system's dispersive and absorptive properties, offering additional control over threshold behavior. These results identify practical routes for designing reconfigurable optical memory, quantum information processors, and all-optical switching devices with enhanced controllability.
We consider the behavior of optical bistability (OB) and multistability (OM) in a four-level atomic system involving a Rydberg state illuminated by a probe field as well as control and switching laser beams of larger intensity. When the switching field is absent, no OB arises because of the effect of Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency. However, by application of the switching field, the hysteresis cycle appears to give rise to optical bistability, thanks to Rydberg electromagnetically induced absorption. It is further demonstrated that one can efficiently modify the OB threshold via suitable choices of system-controlling parameters. Interestingly, it is observed that this model can produce an optical switching between OB and OM with potential applications in logic-gate devices for optical communication.
We propose an optical bistability (OB) model consisting of a five-level cascade electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) medium placed in a unidirectional ring cavity. An input-output intensity relationship for a weak probe light field is derived as a function of parameters of a strong coupling light and cooperation C. The OB behaviors of the system are investigated with variation of the parameters. It has been shown that the OB behaviors occur simultaneously in three EIT windows. Furthermore, switching thresholds and the hysteresis loop can be controlled by the parameters of the coupling light and/or a cooperation of atomic medium. Such controllable OB behaviors can find interesting applications in bistable photonic devices working at low light intensity and multiple frequencies.
Optical bistability（OB） and optical multistability（OM） behaviour of ladder-type four-level atom in a unidirectional ring cavity driven by three laser fields is studied. Three paths of photon transition are coupled with the laser fields. In this case, the laser field ΩB coupling with two middle levels is very important. When the ΩB is increased, optical bistability threshold significantly decreases and optical multistability appears. The effects of the laser field coupling with two upper levels on optical bistability are also discussed. Furthermore, we analyze the effects of the detuning of probe field and atomic cooperation parameter on OB and OM.