Self-switching with a nonlinear birefringent loop mirror

We investigate switching characteristics of the nonlinear birefringent loop mirror which consists of a symmetric directional coupler, a birefringent fiber, and a symmetry-breaking element that converts linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light, and vice versa. The condition for total reflection in the linear regime is obtained using the Jones matrix formalism, The switching curves have been obtained through numerical computations both in the nondispersive pulse regime and in the soliton-like pulse regime. Parameter values suitable for practical applications of our device as an intensity filter are obtained.