The Effect of Fluctuations on Optical Bistability.

The effect of fluctuations on optical bistability is studied using a variety of theoretical and computational methods. Emphasis is on the steady states (most probable values and average values of the amplitude and phase of the output of the bistable device) and the switching times between them. Cooperativity parameter and laser-amplitude and -frequency fluctuations are considered. It is found that the correlation time of the noise plays as important a role as the noise intensity.