The use of stimulated light scattering as a means for achieving optical control functions directed toward an optical computer is described. Stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering is seen to be a preferred nonlinear optical mechanism when compared with the more familiar stimulated Raman and stimulated Brillouin scattering. It possesses the highest gain, the lowest threshold, and scattered radiation that is approximately the same frequency as the inducing radiation. Optical control functions such as optical bistable switching, optical amplification, and optical limiting or clipping are described.The use of stimulated light scattering as a means for achieving optical control functions directed toward an optical computer is described. Stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering is seen to be a preferred nonlinear optical mechanism when compared with the more familiar stimulated Raman and stimulated Brillouin scattering. It possesses the highest gain, the lowest threshold, and scattered radiation that is approximately the same frequency as the inducing radiation. Optical control functions such as optical bistable switching, optical amplification, and optical limiting or clipping are described.

Optical EngineeringJan 1, 19860 citations

Stimulated Scattering of Intense Coherent Light

Guang S. He

When a high-intensity laser beam passes through a transparent and homogeneous optical medium, the induced light scattering may manifest the properties of stimulated radiation characterized by threshold requirement, high directionality, and high brightness. This is the stimulated scattering of intense coherent light. Discoveries and studies of various types of stimulated scattering effects have provided a much deeper and more comprehensive understanding of interactions between the intense coherent light and matter. On the other hand, devices based on stimulated Raman scattering, stimulated Brillouin scattering, and stimulated spin-flip Raman scattering can be employed as highly efficient tunable frequency shifters of coherent light. Stimulated Kerr scattering can be used to generate a super-broadband coherent light and to investigate the molecular anisotropy of liquids. In addition, the recently developed stimulated Rayleigh–Bragg scattering and stimulated Mie scattering can significantly reduce the threshold requirement, and provide a highly efficient no-frequency-shift optical phase conjugation wave.When a high-intensity laser beam passes through a transparent and homogeneous optical medium, the induced light scattering may manifest the properties of stimulated radiation characterized by threshold requirement, high directionality, and high brightness. This is the stimulated scattering of intense coherent light. Discoveries and studies of various types of stimulated scattering effects have provided a much deeper and more comprehensive understanding of interactions between the intense coherent light and matter. On the other hand, devices based on stimulated Raman scattering, stimulated Brillouin scattering, and stimulated spin-flip Raman scattering can be employed as highly efficient tunable frequency shifters of coherent light. Stimulated Kerr scattering can be used to generate a super-broadband coherent light and to investigate the molecular anisotropy of liquids. In addition, the recently developed stimulated Rayleigh–Bragg scattering and stimulated Mie scattering can significantly reduce the threshold requirement, and provide a highly efficient no-frequency-shift optical phase conjugation wave.

Oxford University Press eBooksOct 30, 20141 citation

Optical Switching by Stimulated Thermal Rayleigh Scattering

Lauren M. Peterson

Abstract : Preliminary experiments were conducted whose ultimate goal is to develop all-optical control functions useful in an all-optical or optical- electronic hybrid digital computer or for optical interconnects. Stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering (STRS) based upon generator experiments was pursued for scattering angles of 90 deg and 180 deg (backscattering). A pulsed nitrogen laser pumped dye laser served as the radiation source and the interaction medium was a liquid to which an absorbing dye was added. STRS amplifier experiments were successful and gain was observed and studied parametrically using eosine dye in ethanol. The gain was found to increase (although the gain coefficient decreased) with increasing pump power and the gain was found to be a maximum at an absorption coefficient of about 2.6 per cm. The generator experiments did not lead to stimulated scattering due to the limited output power of the laser and its multi-longitudinal spectral mode content. These studies will be continued along with analytical modeling in order to characterize the interaction and to enable the optimization of the scattering process.Abstract : Preliminary experiments were conducted whose ultimate goal is to develop all-optical control functions useful in an all-optical or optical- electronic hybrid digital computer or for optical interconnects. Stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering (STRS) based upon generator experiments was pursued for scattering angles of 90 deg and 180 deg (backscattering). A pulsed nitrogen laser pumped dye laser served as the radiation source and the interaction medium was a liquid to which an absorbing dye was added. STRS amplifier experiments were successful and gain was observed and studied parametrically using eosine dye in ethanol. The gain was found to increase (although the gain coefficient decreased) with increasing pump power and the gain was found to be a maximum at an absorption coefficient of about 2.6 per cm. The generator experiments did not lead to stimulated scattering due to the limited output power of the laser and its multi-longitudinal spectral mode content. These studies will be continued along with analytical modeling in order to characterize the interaction and to enable the optimization of the scattering process.

Jun 1, 19860 citations

Optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from nonlinear microparticles

K. M. Leung

Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from Rayleigh-particle-sized microparticles having an intensity-dependent refractive index is theoretically investigated. For particles near plasmon resonances optical switching also occurs by sweeping the frequency across the resonance at fixed incident intensity above a certain threshold. Several orders of magnitudes of reduction in the switching intensities are possible near sharp resonances, and an optical transistor mode with a very sizable differential gain can be achieved.Intrinsic optical bistability in the scattering and absorption of light from Rayleigh-particle-sized microparticles having an intensity-dependent refractive index is theoretically investigated. For particles near plasmon resonances optical switching also occurs by sweeping the frequency across the resonance at fixed incident intensity above a certain threshold. Several orders of magnitudes of reduction in the switching intensities are possible near sharp resonances, and an optical transistor mode with a very sizable differential gain can be achieved.

Physical Review AApr 1, 1986101 citations

Stimulated Thermal Rayleigh Scattering in Gases

T. A. Wiggins, C. W. Cho, D. R. Dietz +1 more

Stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering that has been seen previously in absorbing liquids has been observed in gaseous nitrogen and carbon dioxide using small amounts of N ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$ to produce absorption. The anti-Stokes shift of half the half-intensity width of the incident light, thresholds, gain narrowing, and critical absorption coefficients were observed.Stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering that has been seen previously in absorbing liquids has been observed in gaseous nitrogen and carbon dioxide using small amounts of N${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{I}}_{2}$ to produce absorption. The anti-Stokes shift of half the half-intensity width of the incident light, thresholds, gain narrowing, and critical absorption coefficients were observed.

Physical Review LettersApr 15, 196835 citations

Amplification of Light in Absorbing Media: Stimulated Thermal Rayleigh Scattering

Werner Rother, H. Meyer, W. Kaiser

Using well defined input pulses the amplification by stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering was investigated experimentally as a function of time (within the pulse), of absorption coefficient, and of interaction length. The frequency difference between the two interacting light pulses was varied with an accuracy better than Δν/ν = 10-8. Amplification was measured in the backward direction and at several degrees from the forward direction. The various experimental observations are in good agreement with theory. The possibility of determining material parameters in this amplifier system is discussedUsing well defined input pulses the amplification by stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering was investigated experimentally as a function of time (within the pulse), of absorption coefficient, and of interaction length. The frequency difference between the two interacting light pulses was varied with an accuracy better than Δν/ν = 10-8. Amplification was measured in the backward direction and at several degrees from the forward direction. The various experimental observations are in good agreement with theory. The possibility of determining material parameters in this amplifier system is discussed

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung AJul 1, 197016 citations

Stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering that has been seen previously in absorbing liquids has been observed in gaseous nitrogen and carbon dioxide using small amounts of N

{\mathrm{O}}_{2}

and

{\mathrm{I}}_{2}

to produce absorption. The anti-Stokes shift of half the half-intensity width of the incident light, thresholds, gain narrowing, and critical absorption coefficients were observed.