Two-Beam Coupling and Phase Conjugation by Resonant Nonlinear Optical Interactions.

Mark T. Gruneisen, Robert W. Boyd

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rochester. College of Engineering and Applied Science. Institute of Optics, 1989.

David M. Pepper

Juan Francisco Lam

Abstract : A study of novel nonlinear optical processes is presented, along with comparison with available experimental data. Five key areas were investigated using novel theoretical approaches. Analysis of phase conjugate optics of rare earth doped solids predicts inhomogenous saturation behavior, pair quenching effects and concentration dependent filtering property, in agreement with experiments. Theory of millimeter wave phase conjugation and novel modulation techniques for communication purposes in semiconductor superlattices are described. The physics of self-pumped phase conjugation in resonant systems are quantified, and the demonstration of a self-pumped phase conjugate mirror at diode laser wavelengths is achieved. A theoretical model, based on the Davydov Hamiltonian, gives absorption lineshapes in agreement with experiments, and predicts the onset of bistability and energy transfer in two-beam coupling. An analysis of the role of multiple longitudinal phonon coupling to Wannier excitions yields Fano-like profiles in four-wave mixing spectroscopy.

M. Ducloy

Concetto R. Giuliano

Robert W. Boyd, Murray Sargent

We present a theoretical description of the interaction of optical waves due to the resonant nonlinear response of an atomic system. We emphasize how the resonant nature of the nonlinear coupling is modified by the shifting of the atomic energy levels as a consequence of the dynamic Stark effect and show the equivalent role played by population pulsations in determining the nature of the nonlinear coupling. A general formalism is developed to treat these effects and is explicitly applied to several examples of current interest, including single-beam saturation spectroscopy, pump–probe saturation spectroscopy, modulation spectroscopy, degenerate four-wave mixing for phase conjugation, and instabilities in the beam propagation through resonant media.