Optical bistability in a nonlinear-linear interface with two-wave mixing

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Abstract
We introduce a new mechanism for optical bistability at an interface between nonlinear (Kerr or photorefractive) and linear media for a light wave that propagates from the nonlinear side near the critical angle. The origin for this effect is the nonlinear coupling between the incident and reflected (from the interface) waves. We derive the laws of reflectivity and transmissivity and find a bistable behavior as a function of the incident power or the angle.