Abstract

Dielectric media with spatially varying periodic refractive indicies exhibit a narrow region in their transmission spectra where light is strongly reflected; this is known as a “forbidden region” or a “stop gap”. Nonlinear optical periodic structures display interesting transmission characteristics when the frequency of incident radiation falls within or near the stop gap. Optical bistability¹ and optical limiting² have been predicted theoretically and observed experimentally by using nonlinear periodic structures. In addition, the formation of gap solitons, self-pulsing, and pulse compression have been predicted to occur at high intensities.³ We have previously demonstrated optical limiting² by using a colloidal crystal as a nonlinear periodic structure. In this talk we will report on our observations of optical bistability and self-pulsing when these colloidal crystals were used.

© 1993 Optical Society of America