Open AccessDownstream hysteresis-shape control of a bistable optical signal created by an upstream nonlinear photonic resonator
Author(s) -
Saif A. Al Graiti,
Drew N. Maywar
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.380710
Subject(s) - bistability , optics , optical bistability , resonator , polarization controller , physics , materials science , nonlinear optics , optoelectronics , optical fiber , laser , fiber laser
We experimentally demonstrate the control of the hysteresis shape of a bistable optical signal at a location downstream of the nonlinear photonic resonator within which the bistability is generated; this shape control mechanism is performed without any signal sent upstream to the bistable system. The downstream shape-control element consists of a fiber-optic polarization controller and linear polarizer in series, and the nonlinear resonator generates an optical signal whose bistable branches exhibit different states of power and polarization. The diversity of demonstrated hysteresis shapes include the canonical counter-clockwise (CCW) shape (S-shape), the clockwise (CW) shape (inverted S-shape), and butterfly shapes; since all shapes originate from the same bistable signal, all shapes exhibit the same switching input powers. Moreover, the shape-selection process enhances the bistable switching contrast to 20 and 21 dB for the CCW and CW shapes, respectively. The shape-selection technique is demonstrated using a Fabry-Pérot semiconductor optical amplifier, is applicable to other nonlinear photonic resonators, and provides flexibility to future combinational and sequential all-optical signal processing applications.