Abstract

High contrast single step switching has been observed for the first time at a nonlinear interface¹ (Fig. 1). Earlier experiments and simulations² showed multiple thresholds (sawtooth switching) with very low contrast and associated with the transmitted beam breakup. This led to the belief that such phenomena were inherent to the interface. It is probable^1,2,3 that saturation of the intensity dependent refractive index was the primary cause for the new behavior.

© 1990 Optical Society of America