Abstract

Optical bistability occurs in many all-optical devices with non-linear couplings and feedback mechanisms. Thus, bistability is predicted for phase conjugate resonators,¹ Fabry-Perot interferometers,² and, generally wave mixing devices with a source of feedback. Bistability is therefore expected in four-wave mixing, where the Maxwell equations provide nonlinear feedback through the nonlinear susceptibility.

© 1983 Optical Society of America