Tunable nonlinear optical bistability based on Dirac semimetal in photonic crystal Fabry-Perot cavity

Abstract: In this paper, we study the nonlinear optical bistability (OB) in a symmetrical multilayer structure. This structure is constructed by embedding a nonlinear three-dimensional Dirac semimetal (3D DSM) into a solution filled one-dimensional photonic crystal Fabry-Perot cavity. OB stems from the third order nonlinear conductivity of 3D DSM and the local field of resonance mode could enhance the nonlinearity and reduce the thresholds of OB. This structure achieves the tunability of OB due to that the transmittance could be modulated by the Fermi energy. OB threshold and threshold width could be remarkably reduced by increasing the Fermi energy. Besides, it is found that the OB curve depends heavily on the angle of incidence of the incoming light, the structural parameters of the Fabry-Perot cavity, and the position of 3D DSM inside the cavity. After parameter optimization, we obtained OB with a threshold of 106 V/m. We believe this simple structure provides a reference idea for realizing low threshold and tunable all optical switching devices. Keywords: Optical bistability, Dirac semimetal, Fabry-Perot cavity.