Optical bistability


In optics, optical bistability is an attribute of certain optical devices where two resonant transmissions states are possible and stable, dependent on the input. Optical devices with a feedback mechanism, e.g. a laser, provide two methods of achieving bistability.
This effect is caused by two factors
Important cases that might be regarded are:
Applications of this phenomenon include its use in optical transmitters, memory elements and pulse shapers.

Intrinsic bistability

When the feedback mechanism is provided by an internal procedure, the latter will be known as intrinsic optical bistability. This process can be seen in nonlinear media containing the nanoparticles through which the effect of surface plasmon resonance can potentially occur.