Bistability suppression and low threshold switching using frozen light at a degenerate band edge waveguide

Abstract

We predict that nonlinear waveguides which support frozen light associated with a degenerate photonic band edge, where the dispersion relation is locally quartic, exhibit a tunable, all-optical switching response. The thresholds for switching are orders-of-magnitude lower than at regular band edges. By adjusting the input condition, bistability can be eliminated, preventing switching hysteresis.