BISTABLE PRISM COUPLER WITH BOTH 2ND-ORDER AND THIRD-ORDER NONLINEARITIES

Bistability induced in a second-harmonic signal generated in the prese nce of the Kerr effect in a prism coupler is investigated. Using a rig orous solution provided by Maxwell's equations, we analyze this behavi or, taking into account third-order nonlinearity (Kerr nonlinearity). Comparison with a Kerr-based bistable device shows the interest of qua dratic nonlinearity for integrated optics. We show that the bistable b ehavior depends on the sign of third-order nonlinearity. The numerical simulations are presented for both an incident plane wave and a spati ally limited incident beam. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.