Switching waves and dissipative structures in a chain of spasers

Abstract

We have considered the physical mechanism of optical bistability in a spaser in the field of an external optical wave. We have studied the effect of this phenomenon on the dynamics of a 1D chain of coupled spasers. It is shown that such a chain demonstrates the behaviour typical of open nonlinear systems. In particular, for high Joule losses in a spaser, a nonlinear switching autowave propagatesin the chain, thereby evolving the spasers' state from a low population inversion state into a high population inversion state or vice versa. The control parameter that determines the type ofswitching is the amplitude of the external optical wave. For low Joule losses there emerge quasi-periodic dissipative structures whose formation dynamics is of 'self-assembly' nature.