The optical properties of a one-dimensional (1D) photonic heterostructure with gradedindex nonlinear materials are demonstrated theoretically. The influence of the gradation profile of the graded-index nonlinear layers on the linear and nonlinear responses of the structure are analysed. It is shown that the 𝑄-factor of the defect mode and the threshold input intensity to achieve the optical bistability in the used photonic heterostructure depend on the gradation profile of the gradedindex nonlinear layers.
