| 摘要 |
An optical switching apparatus comprises an optically resonant system ( 3, 12 ) and a pulse source configuration ( 1, 2 ) to direct first and second pulses (P<SUB>1</SUB>, P<SUB>2</SUB>) of optical radiation into the resonant system, the first pulse (P<SUB>1</SUB>) being configured to produce a coherent excitation of the resonant optical system so as to change its optical characteristics and the second pulse (P<SUB>2</SUB>) being of a phase to thereafter de-excite the coherent excitation produced by the first pulse. According to the invention, a device ( 13, 34 ) driveable externally of the resonant system such as an optical amplifier or a laser, maintains the coherence of the excitation produced by the first pulse until de-excited by the second pulse. The optically resonant system may comprise an optically responsive medium ( 3 ) which is capable of being switched into a state of coherent resonance or a resonant cavity.
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