Saturable interferometer theory of optical bistability

The phenomenon of purely absorptive bistability is examined using a self-consistent multibeam interference method. A state equation is derived and shown to be identical to that derived from mean-field theory (MFT) in the limit of small absorption length products and high saturation. Using the theory given, we are able to examine the time evolution of the system analytically. The results show a critical slowing behavior near the bistable points of the system and are used to examine switching times. In addition, we give a different condition for bistability which results in a larger range of admissible values.