Photon destructive quantization and optical bistability in Eu3+:NaYF4 and Sm3+:BiPO4

Abstract

We demonstrated photon destructive quantization and optical bistability in Eu³⁺:NaYF₄ and Sm³⁺:BiPO₄. Photon destructive quantization leads to the transition from the broad dip of fluorescence (FL) to a sharp peak of spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) via external field. Firstly, the different bistability signals at the shot noise region, Autler–Townes (AT) region and fluorescence (FL) region with broadband excitation are controlled by the changing time gate position and time gate width. Secondly, we report that single laser symmetric self-dressing bistability suddenly took a weak jump in the shot noise region due to dominant Rabi (G) quantization in the competition between G and gamma. Moreover, the symmetric self-dressing bistability of two lasers shows a strong jump in the AT region due to moderate gamma and G quantization. However, the self-dressing bistability shows no jump in the FL region due to stronger gamma quantization than G quantization. Based on our experimental results, we proposed a model for an optical bistability switch device with 77% switch contrast.