Abstract

We describe the bistable behavior of a nonlinear triple-boundary slab waveguide. We show that, in addition to the previously reported reflected intensity bistability, this device exhibits bistability in the phase of the reflected beam. It is shown that pure phase signal bistability is possible. A system based on the Mach–Zehnder interferometric configuration is proposed to achieve a high-contrast bistable switch.

© 1988 Optical Society of America

Optical bistability based on Fano resonances in single- and double-layer nonlinear slab waveguide gratings

Quang Minh Ngo, Khai Q. Le, Dinh Lam Vu, and Van Hoi Pham
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 31(5) 1054-1061 (2014)

Optical bistability with the waveguide mode

V. J. Montemayor and R. T. Deck
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 2(6) 1010-1013 (1985)

Optical bistability with the waveguide mode: the case of a finite-width incident beam

V. J. Montemayor and R. T. Deck
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 3(9) 1211-1220 (1986)

Observation of optical bistability by prism excitation of a nonlinear film-guided wave

P. Dannberg and E. Broese
Appl. Opt. 27(8) 1612-1614 (1988)

Optical bistability in the frustrated-total-reflection optical cavity

Bruno Bosacchi and Lorenzo M. Narducci
Opt. Lett. 8(6) 324-326 (1983)