CasebyCase: Halfing the amplitude of light

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The discussion centers on the design of a high-speed device capable of halving the amplitude of a light wave under specific conditions. In Case A, an input amplitude of 2 is reduced to 1, while Cases B and C maintain their input values of 1 and 0, respectively. The proposed solution involves utilizing passive nonlinear optics, specifically through the application of Kerr lenses and saturable absorbers. The generation of femtosecond pulses is also highlighted as a relevant area of exploration.

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renrut13
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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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