Abstract
We present a detailed analysis of transverse effects and pattern formation in bistable optical elements. The system we investigate consists of a Fabry-Perot resonator for the optical feedback element with a nematic liquid-crystal cell used as an optically nonlinear intracavity medium. On illumination with a cw-laser beam, the system causes the beam to break up into several individual spots, passing through several transitions before finally reaching a stationary state. We devise a theoretical model which is used as the basis for numerical simulations of the system. The simulation results are in good agreement with experiment. Finally, we characterize the principal instability of the system using a linear stability analysis of the theoretical model.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
N.B. Abraham, W.J. Firth: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B7, 951 (1990)
N.N. Rosanov, A.A. Mak, A.Z. Graznik (eds.):Transverse Patterns in Nonlinear Optics, Proc. SPIE1840 (1992)
F.T. Arecchi: Physica D51, 450 (1991)
H. Haken:Synergetics. An Introduction, Springer Ser. Syn., Vol. 1 (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 1977) H. Haken:Advanced Synergetics, Springer Ser. Syn., Vol. 20 (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 1983)
G. D'Alessandro, W.J. Firth: Phys. Rev. A46, 537 (1992)
G. D'Alessandro, W.J. Firth: Phys. Rev. Lett.66, 2597 (1991)
R. MacDonald, H.J. Eichler: Opt. Commun.89, 289 (1992)
B. Thüring, R. Neubecker, T. Tschudi: Opt. Commun.102, 111 (1993)
Chr. Tamm, C.O. Weiss: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B7, 1034 (1990)
L.A. Lugiato, G.L. Oppo, J.R. Tredicce, L.M. Narducci, M.A. Pernigo: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B7, 1019 (1990)
M. Le Berre, E. Ressayre, A. Tallet: InProc. ECOOSA 90-Quantum Optics (IOP, Bristol 1991) pp. 269–280
H.M. Gibbs:Optical Bistability: Controlling Light with Light (Academic, London 1985)
O. Hess, R. MacDonald, H.J. Eichler: Opt. Commum.82, 526 (1991)
I.C. Khoo, J.Y. Hou: Phys. Rev. A27, 6 (1983)
M. Kreuzer, H. Gottschling, T. Tschudi: Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst.207, 219 (1991)
M. Kreuzer, W. Balzer, T. Tschudi: Appl. Opt.29, 579 (1990)
N.V. Tabiryan, A.V. Sukhov, B. Ya. Zeldovich: Mol Cryst. Liq. Cryst.136, 1 (1986)
R. Neubecker:Selbstbeugung in nematischen Flüssigkristallen. Diploma Thesis, TH Darmstadt (1989)
M.G. Moharam, L. Young: Appl. Opt.17, 1757 (1978)
M. Kreuzer:Strukturbildung in optisch bistabilen Systemen mit nematischen Flüssigkristallen als nichtlineare Medien. Diploma Thesis, TH Darmstadt (1990)
P.G. de Gennes:The Physics of Liquid Crystals (Clarendon, Oxford 1974)
L.M. Blinov:Electro-Optical and Magneto-Optical Properties of Liquid Crystals (Wiley Chichester 1983)
E.A. Sziklas, A.E. Siegmann: Appl. Opt.14, 8 (1975)
J.A. Fleck, Jr., J.R. Morris, M.D. Feit: Appl. Phys.10, 129 (1976)
A.G. Fox, T. Li: Bell Sys. Tech. J.40 (1961)
H. Gottschling:Zweidimensionale Intensitätsverteilung in passiven optischen Resonatoren mit beliebigen Spiegelformen und dünnen Phasenobjekten. Diploma Thesis, TH Darmstadt (1991)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kreuzer, M., Gottschling, H., Neubecker, R. et al. Analysis of dynamic pattern formation in nonlinear Fabry-Perot resonators. Appl. Phys. B 59, 581–589 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01081177
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01081177