Scaling of hysteresis in a multi-dimensional all-optical bistable system

We analyse the hysteresis enlargements of an optical bistable system involving three dynamical variables. We investigate, both experimentally and numerically, the local dynamics of the up- and down-switching process versus the sweeping frequency of the control parameter. In particular, we delineate the domain of validity of the scaling law predicted for one-dimensional systems. At high sweeping frequency, we show the appearance of another asymptotic scaling low in . Thereafter, we analyse the global evolution of the hysteresis loop induced by these processes. At low frequency, a scaling law is retrieved, whereas at high frequency, the dynamical behaviour is shown to strongly depend on the particular shape of the bistability curve. Received: 14 September 1998 / Received in final form: 15 February 1999