title: Optical bistability induced by mirror absorption: measurement of absorption coefficients at the sub-ppm level.
abstract: We have observed optical bistability caused by absorption-induced thermal expansion of mirrors forming a Fabry-Perot interferometer. From the resulting anomalous transmission line shapes, absorption coefficients of the mirror coatings as low as 0.2parts in 10(6) (ppm) have been successfully measured.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sones
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fang-Yen
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dasari
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Feld