Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Light-scattering-noise limits to two-wave-mixing gain in Kerr media

Robert McGraw

Published Jan 1, 1992• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The coupled-mode equations for two-wave mixing are extended to include light-scattering noise and are solved using the stochastic noise model. Solutions are given for amplitude, phase, and output-power fluctuations during weak-signal amplification. Minimum power requirements for low-noise signal amplification in Kerr media are determined.

DOI
10.1364/josab.9.000098

Related papers

Stochastic simulations of light-scattering noise in two-wave mixing: application to artificial Kerr media

Robert McGraw

This paper presents an examination of power dissipation in a nonlinear optical medium during the coherent transfer of energy from a pump to a signal beam, and quantitatively relates this dissipation (through the fluctuation-dissipation theorem) to the spectrum of thermal fluctuations that give rise to light-scattering noise. Calculations are presented for two-wave mixing in an artificial Kerr media using a powerful stochastic model for computer simulation of amplitude, phase, and intensity fluctuations due to light-scattering noise.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jun 1, 1991•0 citations

Stochastic models for light-scattering noise in nonlinear optical Kerr media

Robert M. McGraw

Thermal light-scattering fluctuations are examined as a fundamental noise source inherent in nonlinear optical processes involving Kerr and artificial Kerr media. Stochastic models are introduced to simulate noise in optical phase conjugation via degenerate four-wave mixing, and in signal amplification via nondegenerate two-wave-mixing processes. Significant noise fluctuations in the amplitude and phase components of the processed signals are shown to occur even with incident signal powers in the milliwatt range. For time-dependent processes, including nondegenerate two-wave mixing, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem is shown to generalize a previously derived static susceptibility relation between light-scattering and nonlinear optical response to media exhibiting both power dissipation and nonlocal interaction.

Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1992•3 citations

Light-scattering limitations for phase conjugation in optical Kerr media

Robert M. McGraw, Daniel N. Rogovin, A. Gavrielides

It is shown that noise from light-scattering fluctuations inherent in an optical Kerr medium sets a lower limit on the incident probe power required to achieve meaningful phase conjugation by four-wave mixing. For visible wavelengths and room temperatures, we determine that about 10 μW of probe power is needed to obtain a signal-to-noise ratio of unity in the conjugate wave for reflectivities that are less than or near the first oscillation condition.

Applied Physics Letters•Jan 16, 1989•18 citations

Noise in nonlinear optics

Robert M. McGraw, Daniel N. Rogovin

This paper examines thermal (light-scattering) fluctuations as a dominant noise source in nonlinear optical processes. Fundamental limits to conjugate wave fidelity and signal power requirement are obtained through the statistical thermodynamic treatment of light-scattering noise in four-wave mixing based on the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. Several types of nonlinear media are examined including artificial Kerr suspensions, isotropic Kerr media, and fluids near a critical point. Where measurements are available, excellent quantitative agreement is obtained between theory and experiment.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 1, 1990•0 citations

Measurements of light-intensity noise during nondegenerate two-wave mixing in a Kerr medium

R. Pizzoferrato, E. Pichini, Marco Marinelli +3 more

Measurements of light-intensity fluctuations have been carried out during cw nondegenerate two-wave mixing at visible wavelengths in an artificial Kerr medium. Taking advantage of the distinctive properties of artificial Kerr media, such as the high nonlinear efficiency and slow response, the zero-average component of optical noise has been revealed and completely characterized with regard to statistical and spectral features. Experimental results are discussed in the frame of a stochastic noise model including thermal fluctuations in the linear dielectric constant of the medium.

Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1994•1 citation

Effect of thermal light scattering fluctuations on two-wave mixing in optical Kerr media

Daniel N. Rogovin, Robert McGraw, Athanasios Gavrielides

Two-wave mixing, or coherent beam combination, is of considerable interest to the nonlinear optics and laser physics communities. One approach, of particular interest to this study, involves irradiating an optical Kerr media with two nondegenerate laser beams. The finite response time of the Kerr material ensures that any laser-induced grating will lag the interference pattern formed by the two nondegenerate laser beams and thereby allow energy transfer from the high-frequency beam to the low-frequency one. For such media, thermal light scattering fluctuations give rise to thermal noise gratings which can transfer energy from one wave to the other. Since such gratings are random in nature, their effect is to introduce fluctuations in the two-wave mixing process itself. We examine the influence of such thermal noise gratings on two-wave mixing and determine the SNR for this process in the nondepleted pump approximation.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1988•0 citations
The coupled-mode equations for two-wave mixing are extended to include light-scattering noise and are solved using the stochastic noise model. Solutions are given for amplitude, phase, and output-power fluctuations during weak-signal amplification. Minimum power requirements for low-noise signal amplification in Kerr media are determined.
This paper presents an examination of power dissipation in a nonlinear optical medium during the coherent transfer of energy from a pump to a signal beam, and quantitatively relates this dissipation (through the fluctuation-dissipation theorem) to the spectrum of thermal fluctuations that give rise to light-scattering noise. Calculations are presented for two-wave mixing in an artificial Kerr media using a powerful stochastic model for computer simulation of amplitude, phase, and intensity fluctuations due to light-scattering noise.
Thermal light-scattering fluctuations are examined as a fundamental noise source inherent in nonlinear optical processes involving Kerr and artificial Kerr media. Stochastic models are introduced to simulate noise in optical phase conjugation via degenerate four-wave mixing, and in signal amplification via nondegenerate two-wave-mixing processes. Significant noise fluctuations in the amplitude and phase components of the processed signals are shown to occur even with incident signal powers in the milliwatt range. For time-dependent processes, including nondegenerate two-wave mixing, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem is shown to generalize a previously derived static susceptibility relation between light-scattering and nonlinear optical response to media exhibiting both power dissipation and nonlocal interaction.
This paper examines thermal (light-scattering) fluctuations as a dominant noise source in nonlinear optical processes. Fundamental limits to conjugate wave fidelity and signal power requirement are obtained through the statistical thermodynamic treatment of light-scattering noise in four-wave mixing based on the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. Several types of nonlinear media are examined including artificial Kerr suspensions, isotropic Kerr media, and fluids near a critical point. Where measurements are available, excellent quantitative agreement is obtained between theory and experiment.
Measurements of light-intensity fluctuations have been carried out during cw nondegenerate two-wave mixing at visible wavelengths in an artificial Kerr medium. Taking advantage of the distinctive properties of artificial Kerr media, such as the high nonlinear efficiency and slow response, the zero-average component of optical noise has been revealed and completely characterized with regard to statistical and spectral features. Experimental results are discussed in the frame of a stochastic noise model including thermal fluctuations in the linear dielectric constant of the medium.
Two-wave mixing, or coherent beam combination, is of considerable interest to the nonlinear optics and laser physics communities. One approach, of particular interest to this study, involves irradiating an optical Kerr media with two nondegenerate laser beams. The finite response time of the Kerr material ensures that any laser-induced grating will lag the interference pattern formed by the two nondegenerate laser beams and thereby allow energy transfer from the high-frequency beam to the low-frequency one. For such media, thermal light scattering fluctuations give rise to thermal noise gratings which can transfer energy from one wave to the other. Since such gratings are random in nature, their effect is to introduce fluctuations in the two-wave mixing process itself. We examine the influence of such thermal noise gratings on two-wave mixing and determine the SNR for this process in the nondepleted pump approximation.