High transmission contrast for single resonator based all-optical diodes with pump-assisting

We present a detailed analysis of realizing the unidirectional transmission by using the bistability of a nonlinear optical resonator. We show that the transmission contrast can be enhanced by an order of magnitude if the upper branch of hysteresis loop is explored with pump-assisting. It provides all-optical diodes with simple configuration and high transmission contrast. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America