Applications of nonlinear optical phase conjugation

M. Ducloy

David M. Pepper

Mark T. Gruneisen

Ningju Hui, Qi-Ze Shu, Stephen Colby Rand

Image retrieval based on degenerate four-wave mixing with a new nonlinear mechanism is demonstrated. An avalanche nonlinearity associated with induced excited-state absorption is exploited to furnish phase conjugation with threshold behavior and potential motion sensitivity. Population pulsations are reported at high intensities. Dynamic correction of distorted imagery by phase conjugation is one of many important applications of third-order processes in conventional nonlinear optics. Originally reported in the context of holography,' phase conjugation has found widespread use in optical memories, 2 laser power scaling, 3 signal processing,4 spectroscopy, ' and other applications. 6 The nonlinear mechanisms in earlier research involved resonant or nonresonant parts of the thirdorder susceptibility X(3) of independent atoms or of

Robert A. Fisher, J. McIver, A.F. Lange +3 more

Optical phase conjugation is concerned with the use of nonlinear optical effects to precisely reverse the direction of propagation of each plane wave in an arbitrary beam of light. This causes the return beam to exactly retrace the path of the incident beam, leading to many applications of automatic pointing and tracking (even in the presence of an inhomogeneous medium). The main goals of this course are familiarization with how each of the many nonlinear optical effects gives rise to a phase conjugate signal, and understanding and appreciation of the many potential applications for optical phase conjugation. Conjugation techniques involving Kerr-like degenerate four-wave mixing, resonant degenerate four-wave mixing, stimulated Brillouin scattering, photorefractive effects, surface phenomena, and others will be carefully reviewed. Applications of particular importance to this course will include distortion correction, pointing, tracking, laser-resonator design, optical information processing, etc. Throughout the course, key references will be identified for those wishing to pursue any topic more vigorously.

M. Ducloy