Nonlinear Optics

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.

Clear, integrated coverage of all aspects of nonlinearoptics--phenomena, materials, and devicesCoauthored by George Stegeman, one of the most highly respectedpioneers of nonlinear optics--with contributions onapplications from Robert Stegeman--this book covers nonlinearoptics from a combined physics, optics, materials science, anddevices perspective. It offers a thoroughly balanced treatment ofconcepts, nonlinear materials, practical aspects of nonlineardevices, and current application areas.Beginning with the presentation of a simple electron on a springmodel--to help readers make the leap from concepts toapplications--Nonlinear Optics gives comprehensiveexplanations of second-order phenomena, derivation of nonlinearsusceptibilities, third-order nonlinear effects, multi-wave mixingscattering, and more. Coverage includes:* Nonlinear response of materials at the molecular level* Second-order nonlinear devices, their optimization andlimitations* The physical origins of second- and third-ordernonlinearities* Typical frequency dispersion of nonlinearities, explained interms of simple two- and three-level models* Ultrafast and ultrahigh intensity processes* Practice problems demonstrating the design of such nonlineardevices as frequency doublers and optical oscillatorsBased on more than twenty years of lectures at the College ofOptics and Photonics (CREOL) at the University of Central FloridaNonlinear Optics introduces all topics from the ground upmaking the material easily accessible not only for physicists, butalso for chemists and materials scientists, as well asprofessionals in diverse areas of optics, from laser physics toelectrical engineering.

Preface xi1. Introduction 1Part A: Second-Order Phenomena 152. Second-Order Susceptibility and Nonlinear Coupled Wave Equations 173. Optimization and Limitations of Second-Order Parametric Processes 394. Solutions for Plane-Wave Parametric Conversion Processes 695. Second Harmonic Generation with Finite Beams and Applications 866. Three-Wave Mixing, Optical Amplifiers, and Generators 1087. X ¯(2) Materials and Their Characterization 141Part B: Nonlinear Susceptibilities 1598. Second- and Third-Order Susceptibilities Quantum Mechanical Formation 1619. Molecular Nonlinear Optics 197Part C. Third-Order Phenomena 22510. Kerr Nonlinear Absorption and Refraction 22711. Condensed Matter Third-Order Nonlinearities due to Electron Transitions 25112. Miscellaneous Third-Order Nonlinearities 29013. Techniques for Measuring Third-Order Nonlinearities 33014. Ramification and Applications of Nonlinear Refraction 34715. Multiwave Mixing 38416. Stimulated Scattering 41417. Ultrafast and Ultrahigh Intensity Processes 443Appendix: Units, Notation, and Physical Constants 465Index 469