Optical Bistability and Multi-Stability via Quantum Interference in a Four-Level N-Type Atomic System

Abstract

We investigate the optical bistability (OB) and optical multi-stability (OM) in a four-level N-type atomic system. We demonstrate that the quantum interference mechanisms can significantly affect the behavior of OB and OM. It is also found that OM not only can be created via frequency detuning, but also its threshold can be controlled by the intensity of coupling field.