Engineerable compression of ultrashort pulses by use of second-harmonic generation in chirped-period-poled lithium niobate

We demonstrate the use of an aperiodic quasi-phase-matching (QPM) grating to generate second-harmonic pulses that are stretched or compressed relative to input pulses at the fundamental frequency. We frequency doubled an externally chirped erbium-doped fiber laser generating 17-ps (FWHM) pulses at 1560nm to produce near-transform-limited 110-fs (FWHM) pulses at 780nm by use of a 5-cm-long lithium niobate crystal poled with a QPM grating chirped from an 18.2- to a 19.8-microm period.     

Waveguide second-harmonic generation device with broadened flat quasi-phase-matching response by use of a grating structure with located phase shifts

We report on a theoretical analysis and experiments for bandwidth broadening in quasi-phase-matched (QPM) second-harmonic generation (SHG).We used phase-shifted segments of a periodic grating to obtain a spectrally broadened, nearly flat response simultaneously with high conversion efficiency. We used an x-cut MgO:LiNbO(3) QPM waveguide in our analysis and experiments. The spectral range of the 850-nm fundamental for which SHG conversion exceeded 0.95 of the maximum value broadened from 0.02 to 0.12 nm when a 1-cm-long grating was divided into three segments with optimum phase shift. SHG conversion efficiency was 300%/W for this waveguide. The SHG efficiency and phase-matching characteristics showed good agreement with theoretical results.     

Propagation of second-harmonic wave in quasi-phase-matching nonlinear medium

We studied the propagation of the second-harmonic (SH) wave in a quasi-phase-matching (QPM) medium with a slanted nonlinear grating. By solving the electromagnetic boundary value problem for the SH wave, we derived the propagation law for the SH wave, which can be interpreted as a diffraction phenomenon. Such interpretation was supported by a series of SH generation experiments with a periodically-poled lithium niobate crystal with a slanted QPM grating.     

Angle-tuned second-harmonic generation in periodically-poled lithium niobate

We investigated angular tuning of quasi-phase-matching (QPM) second-harmonic generation (SHG), in order to extend the tunable range of QPM and to combine the advantages of QPM and birefringence phase-matching. The direction of the input fundamental wave vector was detuned from the QPM grating vector along the crystallographic Z-axis of a periodically-poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal in the XY- and XZ-planes. A?larger tuning range of SHG was obtained for the detuning in the XZ-plane, continuously shifting the QPM peak of the fundamental wavelength from 1524 to 1595?nm by changing the detuning angle from 0° (parallel to X-axis as conventional QPM) to 23.2°.     

Coupled mode analysis to study cascading in the QPM Cerenkov regime in waveguides

In this paper we use the coupled mode analysis to study nonlinear phase shifts of the fundamental beam caused by cascaded second order nonlinear effects in the Quasi Phase Matched Cerenkov (QPMC) configuration in waveguides. Under the no-pump depletion approximation which is valid for low conversion efficiencies, we obtain the nonlinear phase shift as a function of length of interaction and grating period. It is observed that the nonlinear phase shift of the fundamental beam can be maximized by choosing a grating period for which the phase matched second harmonic radiation mode is radiated parallel to the film-substrate interface, i.e., for zero Cerenkov angle. Although the phase shifts are smaller than in the case of all guided geometry, QPM Cerenkov configuration is expected to have greater tolerance towards various waveguide parameters and the fundamental wavelength.     

Quasi-phase-matched grating characterization using minimum-phase functions

Measurement of the second-harmonic power generated by a quasi-phase-matched (QPM) grating as a function of the frequency detuning parameter yields the Fourier transform (FT) magnitude of the complex nonlinear coefficient profile along the QPM device. This FT magnitude can be measured by tuning either the wavelength of the fundamental laser beam or the temperature of the QPM grating. However, the measured magnitude of the FT cannot be unambiguously inverted without the FT phase to uniquely recover the complex nonlinear coefficient profile of the QPM grating. As we demonstrate in this work, this ambiguity can be completely eliminated by placing a stronger and thinner nonlinear sample against the input or output of the QPM device of interest and measuring the detuning curve of this composite structure. By construction, the nonlinear profile of this assembly has a sharp peak due to the thinner sample, followed by the weaker, broader profile of the QPM grating, which essentially constitutes a minimum-phase function. Therefore, its FT phase can be calculated uniquely from its measured FT magnitude, for example by applying to the FT amplitude the logarithmic Hilbert transform or an iterative error-reduction algorithm. This processing then enables the full recovery of the complex nonlinear coefficient profile of the QPM device from its measured detuning curve. In this paper, we demonstrate with numerical examples that this powerful new technique can accurately recover the period, envelope, and chirp parameters of any QPM grating.     

Generation of large fifth-order nonlinear phase shifts by use of lossless χ~((2)) cascaded nonlinear processes

Theinherentthird-ordernonlinearityofmaterialc(3)isnormallyweak.Toaccumulatealargenonlinearphaseshift,highlaserintensityandlongopticalpathinmaterialareneeded.Whilethevalueofnonlinearitycouldbemadelargerneartheregionofabsorptionresonance,astronglosswillbeaccompaniedthroughtheprocessoftwo-photonabsorption.Inordertorealizestrongthird-ordernonlinearitywithcontrollableenergyloss,thec(2)(w;2w,-w)︰c(2)(2w;w,w)cascadingprocesshasbeenproposed,whichisequivalenttothethird-ordernonlinearityc(3)(w;w,w,-w)w…     

Generation of large fifth-order nonlinear phase shifts by use of lossless χ(2) cascaded nonlinear processes

It is shown that the cascaded fifth-order nonlinear phase shifts will increase with energy loss in the cascaded processes. Essentially different from the multi-photon absorption accompanied with inherent material nonlinearities, the loss of fundamental wave in a cascaded process is controllable and suppressible. By introducing difference frequencies generated from the reaction between the fundamental and its second harmonic after the cascaded processes, the fundamental wave can be free of energy loss, while the large cascaded fifth-order nonlinear phase shift is maintained.     

Generation of large fifth-order nonlinear phase shifts by use of lossless<Emphasis Type="Italic">χ</Emphasis><Superscript>(2)</Superscript> cascaded nonlinear processescascaded nonlinear processes

It is shown that the cascaded fifth-order nonlinear phase shifts will increase with energy loss in the cascaded processes. Essentially different from the multi-photon absorption accompanied with inherent material nonlinearities, the loss of fundamental wave in a cascaded process is controllable and suppressible. By introducing difference frequencies generated from the reaction between the fundamental and its second harmonic after the cascaded processes, the fundamental wave can be free of energy loss, while the large cascaded fifth-order nonlinear phase shift is maintained.     

Tunable ultraviolet radiation by second-harmonic generation in periodically poled lithium tantalate

We describe electric-field poling of fine-pitch ferroelectric domain gratings in lithium tantalate and characterization of nonlinear-optical properties by single-pass quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation (QPM SHG). With a 7.5-microm-period grating, the observed effective nonlinear coefficient for first-order QPM SHG of 532-nm radiation is 9 pm/V, whereas for a grating with a 2.625-microm period, 2.6 pm/V was observed for second-order QPM SHG of 325-nm radiation. These values are 100% and 55% of the theoretically expected values, respectively. We derive a temperature-dependent Sellmeier equation for lithium tantalate that is valid deeper into the UV than currently available results, based on temperature-tuning experiments at different QPM grating periods combined with refractive-index data in the literature.     

Electro-optic modulation on nonlinear phase shift and fundamental transmission in quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation

Nonlinear phase shift and transmission experienced by a beam at the fundamental frequency during electro-optic modulated quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation are studied. Numerical results indicate that the nonlinear phase shift of fundamental wave shows a difference of π, while fundamental transmission is controllable only by applying a DC electric field along z-axis. The above effect can be implemented on high-contrast optical switching devices such as Mach-Zehnder push-pull device. The relationships between the characteristic (peak and dip) electric fields and the initial pump intensity are also discussed.     

Perfect quasi-phase matching for the third-harmonic generation using focused Gaussian beams

We propose a method to realize perfect quasi-phase matching (QPM) for nonlinear optical interactions involving Gaussian beams. Using this method, both the wave-vector mismatching and the Gouy phase shift can be compensated. Numerical simulations for the third-harmonic generation show that conversion efficiency near to 100% can be realized even if the fundamental wave is tightly focused, which is difficult or even impossible with the conventional QPM method.     

Measurement of the nonlinear coefficient of orientation-patterned GaAs and demonstration of highly efficient second-harmonic generation

Quasi-phase-matched (QPM) GaAs structures, 0.5 mm thick, 10 mm long, and with 61-mum grating periods, were grown by a combination of molecular-beam epitaxy and hydride vapor phase epitaxy. These were characterized by use of mid-IR second-harmonic generation (SHG) with a ZnGeP(2) (ZGP) optical parametric oscillator as a pump source. The SHG efficiencies of QPM GaAs and QPM LiNbO(3) were directly compared, and a ratio of nonlinear coefficients d(14)(GaAs)/d(33) (LiNbO(3))=5.01+/-0.3 was found at 4.1-mum fundamental wavelength. For input pulse energies as low as 50muJ and approximately 60-ns pulse duration, an internal SHG conversion efficiency of 33% was measured in QPM GaAs.     

Phase effects at second-harmonic generation in metamaterials

We develop the theory of second-harmonic generation in metamaterials where fundamental radiation is considered in the constant-intensity approximation taking into account the phase changes of interacting waves. We investigate the second-harmonic wave intensity in metamaterials at different parameters of the problem under consideration. We consider a self-action effect of the light wave in metamaterials in view of the phase changes of all the interacting waves and compare this effect with an analogous effect in usual homogeneous quadratic media. We show that it is possible to change the phase velocity of the pump wave by varying such parameters as the pump intensity, nonlinear medium length, and phase mismatch between the interacting waves. The metamaterials under consideration provide a possibility to change the phase of the fundamental radiation of order of magnitude higher than those in the usual homogeneous quadratic media.     

1.5μm波段基于级联二阶非线性的铌酸锂光波导全光波长变换的理论分析

研究了基于级联二阶非线性的铌酸锂波导全光波长变换器的特性.首先从耦合模方程出发,比较了数值分析结果与小信号近似分析的结果.其次在数值分析基础上,分析了铌酸锂晶体的温度变化导致相应基频光波波长与极化反转光栅周期的变化关系.最后分析了在不同相互作用长度下,转换的光波功率与有效基频光波波长带宽、温度调谐带宽、极化反转光栅周期带宽等关系,以对全光波长变换器件进行优化设计 关键词： 级联二阶非线性 波长变换 准位相匹配 铌酸锂光波导     

Cerenkov third-harmonic generation via cascaded χ(2) processes in a periodic-poled LiTaO₃ waveguide

We report a type of quasi-phase-matched (QPM) Cerenkov third-harmonic generation (CTHG) in a periodic-poled LiTaO? waveguide. The CTHG results from a guided-to-guided second-harmonic generation cascaded with a guided-to-radiated sum-frequency generation (SFG) in the waveguide. In the guided-to-radiated SFG process, nonlinear interactions with participating and nonparticipating reciprocal vectors would lead to different CTHG radiations. In addition, the power and temperature detuning characters of QPM CTHG were studied. Theoretical predictions were in good agreement with experimental results.     

基于光纤激光器的中红外差频多波长激光产生

针对由YDFL和EDFL作为基频光源的QPM-DFG激光系统,利用PPMgLN晶体的色散关系及其温度特性,有效拓宽了QPM波长接受带宽.模拟结果表明,当采用1550和1060 nm波段的EDFL和YDFL分别作为DFG的信号和抽运光源时,对于相同的中红外波段,满足QPM条件所允许的抽运光波长变化范围远大于信号光波长变化范围.当固定信号光波长为1560 nm时,对于给定的晶体温度,1060 nm波段抽运光的QPM接受带宽超过17 nm,对应于中红外差频光带宽可约180 nm.采用多波长YDFL作为抽运源,单 关键词： 差频产生 准相位匹配 多波长中红外 光纤激光器     

Nonlinear Phase Shift by Parametric Amplification in Leaky Waveguides

In this article, the cascaded second-order nonlinear phase shifts induced in the signal wave are studied using the three-wave parametric interaction in a four-layered QPM leaky waveguide configuration in Z-cut LiNbO 3 . In this interaction, the pump-andsignal waves are guided modes and the idler is radiated into the substrate. We have analyzed the nonlinear phase shifts induced in the signal wave due to cascaded second-order effects, as a function of different waveguide parameters. These studies should find application in realizing practical all-optical signal processing devices.     

Simultaneous measurement of amplitude and phase in surface second-harmonic generation

The intensity and the phase in surface second-harmonic generation were simultaneously measured by use of an ac optical balanced homodyne detection system. In this system the surface second-harmonic wave was superimposed upon a local oscillator wave generated by a barium borate nonlinear optical crystal and then detected as an interference signal. Extremely high sensitivity of 3 aW (6 photons/s) and high precision were achieved by use of a lock-in amplifier, in which an interference signal of fundamental waves was used as a reference signal. Simultaneous measurement of the intensity and the phase in surface second-harmonic waves generated from native-oxidized Si(111) surfaces is demonstrated.     

高Q法布里-珀罗腔中二阶串级非线性相移

在高Q值法布里珀罗腔中研究了二阶串级非线性相移.结果表明,通过改变入射光强,可以全光学控制基频光束的透射率和它的相移.基频透射光束的非线性相移相对入射光强的变化率被提高了腔精细度的平方.这可用作光子学开关器件 关键词： 二阶串级效应 法布里珀罗腔 非线性相移