Optical bistability in a 2 x 2 coupler fiber ring resonator: parametric formulation

We present a theoretical investigation of transmission bistability in a two-port optical fiber ring resonator. Analytical results are expressed in parametric form which is well adapted to multistable devices. The bistability results from the combined action of the optical Kerr effect and a linear absorption. The bistability can be controlled by the coupling coefficient, ring losses and coupling losses. The nonlinear behavior disappears in the case of a lossless device. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.