title: Optical bistability in a nonlinear optical coupler with a negative index channel.
abstract: We discuss a novel kind of nonlinear coupler with one channel filled with a negative index metamaterial. The opposite directionality of the phase velocity and the energy flow in the negative index metamaterial channel facilitates an effective feedback mechanism that leads to optical bistability and gap soliton formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, 3113 ERB1, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. natashan@eecs.umich.edu
authors.forename: Natalia M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Litchinitser
authors.forename: Ildar R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Gabitov
authors.forename: Andrei I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Maimistov