Intrinsic Bistability and Critical Slowing in Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋ Codoped Laser Crystal with the Photon Avalanche Mechanism

Mikhail A. Noginov, G. B. Loutts, C. Steward +5 more

William E. Case, Mark E. Koch, A. W. Kueny

Artiom Skripka, Zhuolei Zhang, Xiao Qi +6 more

Sophie Cribier, E. Giacobino, G. Grynberg

Li Li, Zhang Xin-Lu, Lixue Chen

We present theoretically a novel intrinsic optical bistability (IOB) in the Tm 3+ /Yb 3+ codoped system with a photon avalanche mechanism. Numerical simulations based on the rate equation model demonstrate distinct IOB hysteresis and critical slowing dynamics around the avalanche thresholds. Such an IOB characteristic in Tm 3+ /Yb 3+ codoped crystal has potential applications in solid-state bistable optical displays and luminescence switchers in visible-infrared spectra.

Li Li, Zhang Xin-Lu, Lixue Chen +1 more

Intrinsic optical bistability (IOB) in Tm-doped laser crystal pumped at 648nm avalanche wavelength is predicted theoretically and studied numerically. Based on the theory of nonlinear rate equations, the analytical formula of avalanche threshold condition is deduced in the steady-state approximation. Transient response of photon avalanche, IOB and influence of system parameters on IOB are studied numerically. The numerical simulation shows that IOB of 2μm fluorescence emission in Tm-doped laser crystal can be experimentally observed. Controllable bistable hysteresis loop can be achieved by adjusting experimentally adjustable parameters.