Bistability suppression and low threshold switching using frozen light at a degenerate band edge waveguide

We predict that nonlinear waveguides which support frozen light associated with a degenerate photonic band edge, where the dispersion relation is locally quartic, exhibit a tunable, all-optical switching response. The thresholds for switching are orders-of-magnitude lower than at regular band edges. By adjusting the input condition, bistability can be eliminated, preventing switching hysteresis.This work was supported by the Australian Research Council programs, including Discovery Project DP1093445 and Future Fellowship FT100100160