Multistability of the reflection coefficient as a function of incident ampl
itude is theoretically demonstrated to be possible for a semiinfinite optic
ally homogeneous medium with the Kerr nonlinearity. The multistability aris
es at certain relations between the system parameters. The treatment is ess
entially free from the assumption that field envelopes vary slowly in space
. Underlying physical processes are described. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interpe
riodica".