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Scientific Reports

Intrinsic optical bistability via switching between saturable and reverse saturable absorption

Seyed Morteza Mousavi, Mohammad Mahmoudi

Published Apr 15, 2025• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a novel approach to achieving intrinsic optical bistability and multistability through the interplay between saturable and reverse saturable absorption. Our findings reveal that the stable points on the optical bistability curve align with the switching points of intensity-dependent nonlinear absorption. By analyzing the optical properties of a four-level cascade quantum system, we demonstrate that these switching behaviors can be triggered by applying laser fields to induce nonlinear absorption. Furthermore, we propose a comprehensive model to describe the intensity-dependent nonlinear absorption within this quantum system. Finally, it is shown that the optical bistability switches to the multistability when the detuning of applied fields exceeds the multi-photon resonance condition.

DOI
10.1038/s41598-025-86620-9

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We present a novel approach to achieving intrinsic optical bistability and multistability through the interplay between saturable and reverse saturable absorption. Our findings reveal that the stable points on the optical bistability curve align with the switching points of intensity-dependent nonlinear absorption. By analyzing the optical properties of a four-level cascade quantum system, we demonstrate that these switching behaviors can be triggered by applying laser fields to induce nonlinear absorption. Furthermore, we propose a comprehensive model to describe the intensity-dependent nonlinear absorption within this quantum system. Finally, it is shown that the optical bistability switches to the multistability when the detuning of applied fields exceeds the multi-photon resonance condition.
We explore the coherent control of nonlinear absorption of intense laser fields in four-level atomic systems. For instance, in a four-level ladder system, a coupling field creates electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with an Aulter-Townes doublet for the probe field while the control field is absent. A large absorption peak appears at resonance as the control field is switched on. We show how such a large absorption leads to optical switching. Further, this large absorption diminishes and a transparency window appears due to the saturation effects as the strength of the probe field is increased. We further demonstrate that the threshold of the optical bistability can be modified by suitable choices of the coupling and the control fields. In a four-level Y\mathsf{Y}Y-type configuration, the effect of the control field on saturable absorption (SA) and reverse saturable absorption (RSA) is highlighted in the context of nonlinear absorption of the probe field. We achieve RSA and SA in a simple atomic system just by applying a control field.
The optical properties of a four-level double-V-type closed-loop system is studied in the multiphoton resonance condition. It is shown that the phase-dependent electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) window is established and by changing the relative phase of the applied fields, EIT switches to electromagnetically induced absorption. Moreover, the optical bistability (OB) behavior of the system is studied, and it is demonstrated that the cross-Kerr-effect-induced OB depends on the relative phase of the applied fields, and it can be controlled by either intensity or relative phase of laser fields. By applying a microwave field to drive the hyperfine transition between two lower states, the optical properties change and OB switches to optical multistability. This can be used for detection of longer wavelengths than visible light.
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 analyze the absorptive and hybrid absorptive–dispersive double-cavity optical bistability behavior in a four-level N-type atomic system driven by two optical fields circulating inside two independently unidirectional ring cavities and a trigger field outside the cavities. In this system, the two-photon absorption and cross Kerr nonlinearity play significant roles in the formation of bistability and can be controlled efficiently due to the quantum interference effect, and then the resulting nonlinear behavior exhibits different features from the two/three-level schemes. It is shown that the threshold values and hysteresis cycle width of the bistable curve can be manipulated via the adjustment of the system parameters. Meanwhile, we also obtain double-beam optical multistability. When adding positive and negative pulses to the cavity input, all-optical steady-state switching for the two cavity outputs can be achieved simultaneously. Therefore, the proposed scheme may have potential applications in all-optical communication and computing.
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical and experimental studies of atomic optical bistability and multistability, and their dynamical properties in systems with two- and three-level inhomogeneously-broadened atoms inside an optical cavity. By making use of the modified linear absorption and dispersion, as well as the greatly enhanced nonlinearity in the three-level electromagnetically induced transparency system, the optical bistablity and efficient all-optical switching can be achieved at relatively low laser powers, which can be well controlled and manipulated. Until now, the rapid rate of progress in applications of multilevel systems in cross-disciplinary field has made it difficult to newcomers to the field to obtain a broad overview of this topic. This monograph will serve the purpose.
We investigate optical bistability (OB) and optical multistability (OM) behaviors in a triply driven five-level atomic system.It is shown that the system has bistable behavior and can be controlled by intensity of applied fields.We find that OB switches to OM via interference induced among the Rabi-split resonance.We consider a superposed one-dimension standing wave, generated by two optical fields, and it is demonstrated that the OB and OM behaviors depend on the position of localized atoms as well as the relative phase of applied fields.