title: Optimal bistable switching in nonlinear photonic crystals.
abstract: We present an analytical model and numerical experiments to describe optimal bistable switching in a nonlinear photonic crystal system. It is proved that only three parameters are needed to characterize a bistable switch: the resonant frequency omega(res), the quality factor Q, and parameter kappa that measures nonlinear "feedback strength." A photonic crystal enables the device to operate in single-mode fashion, as if it were effectively one dimensional. This provides optimal control over the input and output and facilitates further large-scale optical integration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soljacić
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibanescu
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Yoel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Joannopoulos