Effect of laser-frequency fluctuations on optical bistability

Abstract

We derive, solve, and analyze the linearized master equation and evaluate the spectrum for absorptive optical bistability in the high-$Q$ cavity when the incident laser has jitter or frequency fluctuation. The fluctuations are treated as a time-dependent Gaussian process whose properties are determined by the individual laser's characteristics. With our results we can explain the qualitative results of machine simulations and provide criteria for the magnitude of fluctuations in optical bistability in terms of laser and cavity parameters.