Optical bistability in BaTiO3

Abstract In this paper experimental results concerning the optical bistability of a ferroelectric monocrystal of BaTiO 3 are presented. Two laser beams were used to interact with the monocrystal which resulted in the bistability of the intensity of the transmitted wave. This was achieved without the application of any optical resonator. The feedback was provided by the electronic system through a mechanism typical to all photorefractive materials.