Abstract

We predict dramatically reduced switching thresholds for nonlinear optical devices incorporating fiber ring resonators. The circulating power in such a resonator is much larger than the incident power; also, the phase of the transmitted light varies rapidly with the single-pass phase shift. The combined action of these effects leads to a finesse-squared reduction in the switching threshold, allowing for photonic switching devices that operate at milliwatt power levels in ordinary optical fibers.

© 1999 Optical Society of America

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