Nonlinear thermooptical waves in a semiconductor Fabry–Perot interferometer

A theoretical analysis is made of the problem of existence of nonlinear temperature switching waves in a distributed interferometric system exhibiting the thermooptical effect. An approximate expression is obtained for the velocity of steady-state waves. A report is given of an experimental observation of thermooptical switching waves in a multi-stable germanium Fabry–Perot interferometer illuminated with CO₂ laser radiation.