Realization of an all-optical triode and diode with a two-level-atom-loaded diffraction grating

A finite-difference time-domain full-wave vector Maxwell equation solver is coupled with a two-level-atom model to simulate the scattering of an ultrafast pulsed Gaussian beam from a finite-length, metallic lamellar grating loaded with two-level atoms. The atomic medium is taken to be resonant at or near the frequency of the incident optical radiation. The highly resonant material and grating behaviors are then combined to realize an all-optical triode at low powers and an all-optical diode at high powers. Simulation results demonstrate the operating characteristics of these triode and diode configurations.