Abstract

Recently, pattern forming systems with single-mirror-feedback [1] were considered, in which not only phase modulation but also amplitude modulation by the medium is of crucial importance for the nonlinearity [2,3]. This creates the possibility of resonatorless optical bistability (OB) [2,3]. Here we report on spatial effects in a beam with an inhomogeneous Gaussian profile occurring in the vicinity of the OB region, if the system is also unstable against pattern formation.

© 1996 IEEE