Nonlinear Optics

GEORGE I. STEGEMAN, PhD, is Chair Professor in the College of Engineering at KFUPM, Saudi Arabia, and Emeritus Professor at the College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) of the University of Central Florida (UCF). He is the first recipient of the Cobb Family Eminent Chair in Optical Sciences and Engineering at UCF. Dr. Stegeman is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America and has received the Canadian Association of Physicists's Herzberg Medal for achievement in physics and the Optical Society of America's R.W. Wood Prize.
 
ROBERT A. STEGEMAN, PhD, has held professional positions at the College of Optical Sciences at The University of Arizona, as well as various industrial companies.

Clear, integrated coverage of all aspects of nonlinear optics--phenomena, materials, and devices
 
Coauthored by George Stegeman, one of the most highly respected pioneers of nonlinear optics--with contributions on applications from Robert Stegeman--this book covers nonlinear optics from a combined physics, optics, materials science, and devices perspective. It offers a thoroughly balanced treatment of concepts, nonlinear materials, practical aspects of nonlinear devices, and current application areas.
 
Beginning with the presentation of a simple electron on a spring model--to help readers make the leap from concepts to applications--Nonlinear Optics gives comprehensive explanations of second-order phenomena, derivation of nonlinear susceptibilities, third-order nonlinear effects, multi-wave mixing, scattering, and more. Coverage includes:
* Nonlinear response of materials at the molecular level
* Second-order nonlinear devices, their optimization and limitations
* The physical origins of second- and third-order nonlinearities
* Typical frequency dispersion of nonlinearities, explained in terms of simple two- and three-level models
* Ultrafast and ultrahigh intensity processes
* Practice problems demonstrating the design of such nonlinear devices as frequency doublers and optical oscillators
 
Based on more than twenty years of lectures at the College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) at the University of Central Florida, Nonlinear Optics introduces all topics from the ground up, making the material easily accessible not only for physicists, but also for chemists and materials scientists, as well as professionals in diverse areas of optics, from laser physics to electrical engineering.

Preface xi
 
1. Introduction 1
 
Part A: Second-Order Phenomena 15
 
2. Second-Order Susceptibility and Nonlinear Coupled Wave Equations 17
 
3. Optimization and Limitations of Second-Order Parametric Processes 39
 
4. Solutions for Plane-Wave Parametric Conversion Processes 69
 
5. Second Harmonic Generation with Finite Beams and Applications 86
 
6. Three-Wave Mixing, Optical Amplifiers, and Generators 108
 
7. X (2) Materials and Their Characterization 141
 
Part B: Nonlinear Susceptibilities 159
 
8. Second- and Third-Order Susceptibilities Quantum Mechanical Formation 161
 
9. Molecular Nonlinear Optics 197
 
Part C. Third-Order Phenomena 225
 
10. Kerr Nonlinear Absorption and Refraction 227
 
11. Condensed Matter Third-Order Nonlinearities due to Electron Transitions 251
 
12. Miscellaneous Third-Order Nonlinearities 290
 
13. Techniques for Measuring Third-Order Nonlinearities 330
 
14. Ramification and Applications of Nonlinear Refraction 347
 
15. Multiwave Mixing 384
 
16. Stimulated Scattering 414
 
17. Ultrafast and Ultrahigh Intensity Processes 443
 
Appendix: Units, Notation, and Physical Constants 465
 
Index 469