Optically bistable interference filters: self-consistent modeling of nonlinear optical characteristics and optimization

Abstract
Self-consistent equations for modeling the nonlinear responses of optical filters are presented for both local and global refractive nonlinearities. Optimization considerations for low switching-power levels, small refractive-index changes, and large signal differences are addressed for a variety of narrow-passband and edge filters with a view to defining the optimum filter type for all-optical switching.