On the Theory of a Non-linear Optical Resonator

The properties are considered of an optical resonator excited by an external light beam and filled with a non-linear (Raman or Mandel'stam-Brillouin active) medium for single-mode (exciting and the first Stokes) radiation components in the resonator. The form of the hysteresis of light intensity inside the resonator and of the intensity of the beam transmitted through the resonator for both the radiation components on the variation of the external beam intensity are investigated. Also, periodic pulsations of the radiation component intensities are discussed and the phase modulation of the components at the regimes in question is predicted, the conditions for these pulsations being derived. Conditions are also found under which the resonator amplifies the amplitude (phase) modulation of the external light beam and the properties of the regimes of the amplification are also discussed. The use of the resonator in question as the element of optical memory, a switching device, the generator of optical pulses and optical ‘transistor’ is proposed.