Phase control of spontaneously generated coherence induced bistability

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 239; no. 4-6; pp. 383 - 388
• Main Authors: Liu, Cheng-pu, Gong, Shang-qing, Fan, Xi-jun, Xu, Zhi-zhan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.09.2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Nonlinear optics; Optical bistability; Optical bistability, multistability and switching, including local field effects; Optical transient phenomena: quantum beats, photon echo, free-induction decay, dephasings and revivals, optical nutation and self-induced transparency; Optics; Physics; Quantum optics; Relative phase; Spontaneously generated coherence; Strong-field excitation of optical transitions in quantum systems; multi-photon processes; dynamic stark shift; 42.50.Hz; Relative phase; Optical bistability; Spontaneously generated coherence; 42.65.Pc; 42.50.Md; Light coherence; Phase control; Theoretical study; Quantum optics; Cavity resonators; Quantum interference phenomena; Nonlinear optics; Steady state
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2004.06.003

The steady-state nonlinear behavior in a ring cavity based on a Λ-type atomic model is investigated. It is shown that, due to the existence of strong spontaneously generated coherence, optical bistability still can be realized even if both coherent fields in resonance with the medium. Moreover, the appearance or disappearance of bistability can be controlled by adjusting the relative phase between the two coherent fields. When the probe field is not resonant, it is found that the threshold intensity for producing bistability is very sensitive to the relative phase, and bistability and multistablity can transform mutually by adjusting the relative phases.