Tunable optical multistability induced by a single cavity mode in cavity quantum electrodynamics system

TL;DR

This paper proposes a tunable optical multistability scheme in a cavity QED system using a single cavity mode coupled with atomic transitions, enabling controllable multistability and potential applications in optical logic and communication.

Contribution

It introduces a novel, compact scheme for optical multistability using a single cavity mode with tunable parameters and quantum interference effects, advancing integrated optical device design.

Findings

Multiple polariton eigenstates are produced under strong coupling.

Optical multistability thresholds are tunable over a broad range.

Quantum interference splits bistability regions, enabling multi-state control.

Abstract

A tunable optical multistability scheme based on a single cavity mode coupled with two separate atomic transitions in an atom-cavity system is proposed and demonstrated. Under the collective strong coupling condition, multiple polariton eigenstates of the atom-cavity system are produced. The threshold and optical multistability curve can be tuned freely by system parameters in a broadband range. Moreover, a certain bistability region of the system is split to two bistability regions due to destructive quantum interference induced by an extra weak control field. Compared to traditional optical multistabilities created by two or more light fields, the proposed optical multistability scheme has compactness and is easy to be miniaturized. The proposed scheme is useful for manufacturing integrated application of multi-state all-optical logic devices and constructing basic elements of all-optical communication networks.