Nonreciprocal light propagation systems and methods

An optical resonator system comprises an optical resonator (30) and means (32, 42, 44) for coupling into the resonator counterpropagating waves at total intensities such as to produce a non-linear interaction between the first and second waves whereby to break the symmetry to establish different resonant frequencies between the first and second counterpropagating waves whereby to produce different optical effects in the opposite directions. A common light source, e.g. a laser (32), is employed with an amplifier (40) and a modulator (50), or different light sources can be employed