Numerical studies of optical switching and optical bistability phenomena of nano- or meso-size spheres

We propose the use of numerical calculations of the optical response of nonlinear Kerr-spheres, modifying the Mie theory. As a numerical example, we use a CuCl sphere coated with a Kerr-nonlinear sphere, taking into account the excitation of the Z3-exciton. The results clearly show that optical bistable and/or optical switching devices can be realized on a nano- and meso-size scale when the real part of the dielectric constant of CuCl is negative.