Abstract

The interaction of two counterpropagating beams in a nonlinear medium leads to many interesting phenomena. One such phenomenon is the occurrence of optical bistability arising from the mutual interaction of the two beams.¹ This type of cross-trapping optical bistability is similar to one of those proposed by Kaplan.² The physics of cross-trapping optical bistability is similar to the self-focusing bistability³ where self-trapping occurs in a single-beam/single-reflector setup. Cross-trapping bistability differs in that it has no external feedback and therefore is the first mirrorless bistability not based on an increasing absorption effect.

© 1985 Optical Society of America