Nonlinear frequency response of the multi-resonant ring cavities

A convenient for practical use new theoretical approach describing a nonlinear frequency response of the multi-resonant nonlinear ring cavities (RC) to an intense monochromatic wave action is developed. The approach closely relates the many-valuednesses of the RC frequency response and the dispersion relation of a waveguide, from which the cavity is produced. Arising of the multistability regime in the nonlinear RC is treated. The threshold and the dynamic range of the bistability and tristability regimes for an optical ring cavity with the Kerr nonlinearity are derived and discussed.