Abstract

An extended theoretical discussion of a novel general method of obtaining optical bistability is given. The method uses absorption that increases as the material becomes more excited and requires no mirrors or other external feedback. Criteria for bistability and differential gain are derived for a simple case, and specific illustrative analytic results are given. Limiting relations are derived for the switching powers and the width of the bistable region. It is shown that this general class of bistability encompasses at least six previous independent and unrelated investigations of mirrorless bistability in specific physical systems. The common general requirements for this bistability are discussed together with its attributes.

© 1984 Optical Society of America

Optical bistability due to increasing absorption

D. A. B. Miller, A. C. Gossard, and W. Wiegmann
Opt. Lett. 9(5) 162-164 (1984)

Model for mirrorless optical multiple bistability due to increasing and decreasing absorption

J. W. Haus, C. C. Sung, C. M. Bowden, and J. M. Cookt
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 2(12) 1920-1923 (1985)

Longitudinal spatial inhomogeneities in intrinsic optical bistability due to induced absorption

Charles M. Bowden, C. C. Sung, J. W. Haus, and J. M. Cook
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 5(1) 11-19 (1988)

Effect of triplet-state absorption on optical bistability in a four-level system

Ying Ji and Fucheng Lin
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 12(9) 1595-1601 (1995)

Optical instabilities in a nonlinear Kerr medium

Yaron Silberberg and Israel Bar-Joseph
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 1(4) 662-670 (1984)