Effect of the spectral half-width of the driving field on the bistability

The bistability behavior of a nonlinear absorbing medium inside a Fabry–Perot resonator driven by an external quasi-monochromatic field is studied. The driving field is considered to be of a Gaussian and Lorentzian spectral line profile. The effect of the spectral half-width on the bistability is discussed. The mathematical treatment is carried out through an interferometric point of view. The dependence of the driving intensity required to initiate bistability on the standing wave established inside the resonator is represented.