This Field Guide is designed for those looking for a condensed and concise source of key concepts, equations, and techniques for nonlinear optics. Topics covered include technologically important effects, recent developments in nonlinear optics, and linear optical properties central to nonlinear phenomena. The focus of each section is based on my research as well as my interactions with colleagues in the field and my experiences teaching nonlinear optics
Following the birth of the laser in 1960, the field of "nonlinear optics" rapidly emerged. Today, laser intensities and pulse durations are readily available, for which the concepts and approximations of traditional nonlinear optics no longer apply. In this regime of "extreme nonlinear optics," a large variety of novel and unusual effects arise, for example frequency doubling in inversion symmetric materials or high-harmonic generation in gases, which can lead to attosecond electromagnetic pulses or pulse trains. Other examples of "extreme nonlinear optics" cover diverse areas such as solid-state physics, atomic physics, relativistic free electrons in a vacuum and even the vacuum itself. This book starts with an introduction to the field based primarily on extensions of two famous textbook examples, namely the Lorentz oscillator model and the Drude model. Here the level of sophistication should be accessible to any undergraduate physics student. Many graphical illustrations and examples are given. The following chapters gradually guide the student towards the current "state of the art" and provide a comprehensive overview of the field. Every chapter is accompanied by exercises to deepen the reader's understanding of important topics, with detailed solutions at the end of the book.
Fundamentals of Nonlinear Optics encompasses a broad spectrum of nonlinear phenomena from second-harmonic generation to soliton formation. The wide use of nonlinear optical phenomena in laboratories and commercial devices requires familiarity with the underlying physics as well as practical device considerations. This text adopts a combined approach to analyze the complimentary aspects of nonlinear optics, enabling a fundamental understanding of both a given effect and practical device applications. After a review chapter on linear phenomena important to nonlinear optics, the book tackles nonlinear phenomena with a look at the technologically important processes of second-harmonic generation, sum-frequency and difference-frequency generation, and the electro-optic effect. The author covers these processes in considerable detail at both theoretical and practical levels as the formalisms developed for these effects carry to subsequent topics, such as four-wave mixing, self-phase modulation, Raman scattering, Brillouin scattering, and soliton formation. Consistently connecting theory, process, effects, and applications, this introductory text encourages students to master key concepts and to solve nonlinear optics problems—preparing them for more advanced study. Along with extensive problems at the end of each chapter, it presents general algorithms accessible to any scientific graphical and programming package. Watch the author speak about the book.
The Optical Society of America (OSA) and SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering have awarded Robert Boyd with an honorable mention for the Joseph W. Goodman Book Writing Award for his work on Nonlinear Optics, 2nd edition.Nonlinear optics is essentially the study of the interaction of strong laser light with matter. It lies at the basis of the field of photonics, the use of light fields to control other light fields and to perform logical operations. Some of the topics of this book include the fundamentals and applications of optical systems based on the nonlinear interaction of light with matter. Topics to be treated include: mechanisms of optical nonlinearity, second-harmonic and sum- and difference-frequency generation, photonics and optical logic, optical self-action effects including self-focusing and optical soliton formation, optical phase conjugation, stimulated Brillouin and stimulated Raman scattering, and selection criteria of nonlinear optical materials. · Covers all the latest topics and technology in this ever-evolving area of study that forms the backbone of the major applications of optical technology· Offers first-rate instructive style making it ideal for self-study· Emphasizes the fundamentals of non-linear optics rather than focus on particular applications that are constantly changing
Praise for the 1st Edition: "well written and up to date.... The problem sets at the end of each chapter reinforce and enhance the material presented, and may give students confidence in handling real-world problems." ―Optics & Photonics News "rigorous but simple description of a difficult field keeps the reader’s attention throughout.... serves perfectly for an introductory-level course." ―Physics Today This fully revised introduction enables the reader to understand and use the basic principles related to many phenomena in nonlinear optics and provides the mathematical tools necessary to solve application-relevant problems. The book is a pedagogical guide aimed at a diverse audience including engineers, physicists, and chemists who want a tiered approach to understanding nonlinear optics. The material is augmented by numerous problems, with many requiring the reader to perform real-world calculations for a range of fields, from optical communications to remote sensing and quantum information. Analytical solutions of equations are covered in detail and numerical approaches to solving problems are explained and demonstrated. The second edition expands the earlier treatment and includes: A new chapter on quantum nonlinear optics. Thorough treatment of parametric optical processes covering birefringence, tolerances and beam optimization to design and build high conversion efficiency devices. Treatment of numerical methods to solving sets of complex nonlinear equations. Many problems in each chapter to challenge reader comprehension. Extended treatment of four-wave mixing and solitons. Coverage of ultrafast pulse propagation including walk-off effects.
"The Field Guide to Solar Optics attempts to consolidate and summarize optical topics in solar technologies and engineering that are dispersed throughout literature. The field guide also attempts to clarify topics and terms that could be confusing or at times misused. As with any technology area, optics related to solar technologies can be a wide field. The topics selected for this field guide are ones that are frequently encountered in solar engineering and research for energy harvesting, particularly for electricity generation. Therefore, the topics selected are slanted towards solar thermal or commonly called concentrating solar power. The first section of the field guide provides background on energy needs and usage and where solar technologies fit into the energy mix. The next section covers properties of the sun and develop understandings for solar energy collection. The third section introduces optical properties, concepts, and basic components. In the fourth section, the various optical systems used in solar engineering are described. In solar, optical systems used for solar energy collection is commonly referred to as collectors (e.g., collector field). This term is used frequently in this field guide. Another term commonly used for solar collectors is non-imaging optics. The next section introduces concepts for characterizing optical components/systems and analysis approaches. Lastly, measurement tools commonly used in solar engineering and research are described. The fundamentals of the topics are provided. Providing methods or approaches to designs was not the goal of the field guide. However, the fundamental understanding can be extended and used for design of components and systems"--
Nonlinear optics has been a rapidly growing field in recent decades. It is based on the study of effects and phenomena related to the interaction of intense coherent light radiation with matter. Physics of Nonlinear Optics describes various major nonlinear optical effects, including physical principles, experimental techniques, up-to-date research achievements, and current or potential applications. This book features clear conceptual descriptions, concise formulations, and emphasizes both theoretical and experimental aspects of nonlinear optics. The readability of this book is particularly enhanced by a series of color photographs showing the spectacular appearances of various nonlinear optical effects. Both authors of this book are outstanding research scientists renowned in their professional areas. Their major research achievements in nonlinear optics include the pioneering studies of two-wave-coupled refractive-index change, Raman-enhanced self-focusing, optical-frequency Pockels effect, stimulated Kerr scattering, optical phase-conjugation via backward stimulated emission, and two-photon-absorption based optical limiting, stabilization and reshaping.
This volume provides an introduction to new optical methods for investigating the electronic, atomic, and magnetic properties of metallic surfaces and films. The methods have potentially valuable commercial applications and the book will be a useful guide to researchers in condensed matter physics and optics. The book begins with a chapter on linear Kerr spectroscopy and its application to magnetism and magnetic anisotropy effects. This is followed by two chapters discussing nonlinear magneto-optics, particularly the application of second harmonic light generation (SHG) to ultrathin films. The next chapter discusses time-resolved linear and second order reflectivity methods, and the final two chapters cover the electronic theory for nonlinear optics and nonlinear magneto-optics. These last chapters include discussions of current problems and directions for future research.
Intended for readers with a background in classical electromagnetic theory, this book develops the basic principles that underlie nonlinear optical phenomena in matter. It begins with a discussion of linear wave propagation in dispersive media, moves into weak nonlinearities which can be discussed in a pertuberative manner, then it examines strong nonlinear effects (solitons, chaos). The emphasis is on the macroscopic description on nonlinear phenomena, within a semiclassical framework. Two new chapters cover surface optics and magneto-optic phenomena. The book is aimed at the student or researcher who is not a specialist in optics but needs an introduction to the principal concepts.
The first complete guide to nonlinear theory and practice for engineers Nonlinear Optics is a highly accessible, applications-oriented introduction to a new and rapidly growing field. An indispensable resource for both electrical engineering students and professionals working in the telecommunications and optoelectronics industry, it: * Treats the subject of nonlinear optics in purely classical terms for electrical engineers * Offers numerous real-world examples clearly demonstrating the connection between theory and practical application * Features helpful chapter-end problems and numerous examples * Explores current and future applications of nonlinear optics in telecommunications, computers, and other fields Due to its many applications in fiber-optic communications and optoelectronics the propagation of light through nonlinear media is an increasingly important topic among electrical engineers. Unfortunately, books geared to the specific concerns of electrical engineering students and professionals in the telecommunications and optoelectronics industry continue to be in short supply. This book is designed to fill that gap. Nonlinear Optics is a complete, self-contained, applications-oriented introduction to the field. In an effort to make this book as accessible as possible to its intended audience, E. G. Sauter has foregone quantum mechanical descriptions, choosing instead to treat the subject of nonlinear optics in purely classical terms. He has also included numerous real-world examples that clearly demonstrate the connection between theory and practical application. The book begins with the theoretical foundations for the practical discussions that follow. Dr. Sauter treats the basic relations between polarization and electric field strength, the different nonlinear effects of polarizations of order two and three, wave propagation of complex phasors in nonlinear media and anisotropic media, and the conservation of energy and momentum in nonlinear processes. Over the six chapters that follow, these theories are applied to specific cases, including the linear electrooptic effects; second harmonic generation; parametric effects; four-wave mixing, including the Raman and Brillouin effects; and the optical Kerr effect. The remaining chapters present in-depth discussions of pulse propagation, solitons, and nonlinear effects in glass fibers. Helpful problems appear at the end of each chapter, and numerous worked and unworked examples are scattered throughout the text to elucidate principles and clarify complex material. A highly accessible, applications-oriented introduction to a new and rapidly growing field, Nonlinear Optics is an indispensable resource for both electrical engineering students and working professionals.
