Dispersive optical bistability in a Fabry-Perot cavity

This is a numerical analysis of the steady-state Maxwell-Bloch equations in a Fabry-Perot cavity with standing waves, atomic detuning and cavity mistuning; the atoms are homogeneously broadened. In the Mean-Field Approximation (MFA) limit, the resulting output-input characteristics agree exactly with the analytical predictions for a ring cavity. This leads to the derivation of a state equation for the Fabry-Perot cavity in the MFA limit identical to that for a ring cavity. Agreement with the MFA within 4% are obtained when αL< 3, the mirror reflectivity is above 90%, and the cavity mistuning below 4% of its free spectral range. Simulations beyond the scope of the MFA are also made and the case of purely dispersive optical bistability is also considered.