Kerr nonlinearity and optical multi-stability in a four-level Y-type atomic system

The nonlinear response to applied fields of a four-level Y-type atomic system is investigated. The effect of laser intensity and quantum interference induced by spontaneous emission on optical bistability, optical multi-stability and Kerr nonlinearity is then discussed. It is found that the threshold of the optical bistability can substantially be reduced by the quantum interference. So, an enhanced Kerr nonlinearity with reduced absorption can be achieved.