Pure phase bistability with a nonlinear slab waveguide.
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.
Haelterman
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