Wavelength Dependence of Optical Bistability in Molecular-beam-deposited ZnSe Interference Filters

Abstract

Complete ZnSe interference filters exhibiting optical bistability have been fabricated using ultrahigh-vacuum molecular-beam techniques. The wavelength dependence of the critical switching power was measured at five wavelengths between 521 and 676 nm for a filter with two-period ZnSe/BaF₂ multilayer reflectors and an initial assessment has been made of their long-term operational stability.