CasebyCase: Halfing the amplitude of light

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Reducing the amplitude of a light wave to half its value in one case while allowing others to pass through unchanged is a challenge in optical design. The discussion explores the potential for a high-speed device that achieves this without electronic conversion, possibly using a photon-absorbing medium that activates at specific intensity levels. Suggestions include investigating passive nonlinear optics, specifically Kerr lenses and saturable absorbers, which can manipulate light intensity effectively. The generation of femtosecond pulses is also mentioned as a relevant area of study. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for innovative optical solutions to achieve selective amplitude reduction.
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Is there a way to reduce the amplitude of a light wave to half its value in one case and do nothing in the other cases?

Three Cases:

Case A: Light amplitude input is 2 - reduce to 1 on output (cut in half)
Case B: Light amplitude input is 1 - output is 1 (do nothing/pass through)
Case C: Light amplitude input is 0 - output is 0

I would like to design a hi-speed device that would allow this to occur. By hi-speed I mean instantaneous or without converting to/from any electronics. I can almost envison a possibility where you have some kind of photon absorbing medium that doesn't kick in until a certain intensity is reached. Does anyone have any insight or could point me into a(ny) direction with this?
 
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Broadly, look into passive nonlinear optics.
 
Both Kerr lenses and saturable absorbers can be employed to do this. See how femtosecond pulses are generated.
 
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