Controllable Optical Bistability and Multistability in a Four-Level Atomic System with Closed-Loop Configuration

We theoretically investigate optical bistability (OB) and multistability (OM) behaviour of a closed-loop configuration atomic system driven by a degenerate coupling field and a degenerate probe field inside a unidirectional ring cavity. It is found that the OB and OM behaviour can be controlled by adjusting the intensity and the frequency detuning of the coupling field, respectively. Interestingly, our numerical results show that it is easy to realize the transition from OB to OM or vice versa by adjusting the intensity of the coupling field under a appropriate frequency detuning. The effect of the atomic cooperation parameter on the OB behaviour is also discussed.