Four-wave polariton scattering of light in LiNbO3

Four-wave Stokes k-spectra for light scattering on polaritons in lithium niobate crystals with an Mg impurity are studied experimentally. The mechanisms for direct, cascade, coherent, and incoherent four-wave mixing of light are discussed in the course of interpreting the angular dependences of the scattered light intensity. It is shown that the dispersion of the real part of the polariton wave vector and the refractive index of the crystals at the polariton frequencies can be measured with an order of magnitude greater accuracy than by spontaneous three-wave polariton light scattering. A significant discrepancy is found between determinations of the polariton absorption coefficient from the angular spectra of three-wave scattering and four-wave scattering in terms of the model employed here. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 112, 441–452 (August 1997)     

Quantum optical effects in semiconductor microcavities

Investigations of quantum effects in semiconductor quantum-well microcavities interacting with laser light in the strong-coupling regime are presented. Modifications of quantum fluctuations of the outgoing light are expected due to the non-linearity originating from coherent exciton–exciton scattering. In the strong-coupling regime, this scattering translates into a four-wave mixing interaction between the mixed exciton–photon states, the polaritons. Squeezing and giant amplification of the polariton field and of the outgoing light field fluctuations are predicted. However, polariton–phonon scattering is shown to yield excess noise in the output field, which may destroy the non-classical effects. Experiments demonstrate evidence for giant amplification due to coherent four-wave mixing of polaritons. Noise reduction below the thermal noise level was also observed. To cite this article: E. Giacobino et al., C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 41–52     

Nonlinear diffraction in gratings based on polymer–dispersed TiO 2 nanoparticles

In this letter we report a simple technique to produce volume holographic gratings based on photopolymerizable composites containing TiO₂ nanoparticles. Diffraction gratings with high refractive index modulation amplitude (up to 1.25 × 10⁻²) have been formed due to the periodic distribution of high refractive index nanoparticles in a low refractive index polymer matrix. The diffraction efficiency increases strongly on increasing the nanoparticle concentration. Taking the mixture with 10 wt.% TiO₂ nanoparticles, gratings with high diffraction efficiency, low level of scattering and high transparency in the visible-wavelength range have been obtained. This will ultimately lead to different applications of diffractive optical elements based on nanocomposites. The dependence of the gratings’ diffraction efficiency on the intensity of probe laser pulses at 1064 nm has been explored. It is shown that the nonlinear response of the gratings is attributed mainly to the nonlinear properties of the TiO₂ nanoparticles embedded in the polymer matrix. The mechanism of the grating formation and the reasons for the nonlinear behavior of the diffraction efficiency are discussed.     

多层纳米硅复合膜的共振光学非线性

本文采用简并四波混频技术在室温下研究晶化a-Si:H/a-SiN_x:H多层纳米硅复合膜三阶非线性光学性质,首次观察到这种多层膜的相位共轭信号,在共振光波波长λ=589nm处实验所用样品的三阶非线性极化率为χ⁽³⁾=1.4×10^-6esu,分析表明其非线性光学响应增强的原因是纳米硅的强量子限域作用.     

Phase-matched light-induced scattering,mirrorless self-oscillation,and generation of nearly retropropagating waves in LiNbO3:Fe in “forbidden” interaction geometry

Two mutually incoherent pump waves impinging symmetrically on a LiNbO₃:Fe crystal from different faces in a plane normal to the C-axis produce chartacteristic patterns of light-induced scattering (lines and rings) and a pair of collimated waves propagating roughly in backward directions with respect to the pump waves. We show that the bright line of scattered light is in fact the mirrorless oscillation due to backward-wave four-wave mixing in the crystal with local (photovoltaic) response, while the retropropagating waves appear only because of high-order diffraction processes.     

混合溶液中CARS过程的非共振信号实验研究

相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射是一种非线性四波混频效应,但是通过探测共振信号不易进行物质成分的定量光谱分析。本文利用单频相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射光谱分析法,对不同体积比混合的乙醇溶液在远离双光子共振跃迁及其远离溶质与溶剂的特征拉曼共振态位置进行了光谱探测。通过对实验结果进行分析发现,在共振位置2 876 cm-1的信号强度随混合溶液中的乙醇的体积比增加而增加,呈二次方关系。而在远离共振态位置的非共振信号强度随混合溶液中乙醇的体积比增加而增加,且呈线性关系,进而说明了非共振信号强度随着分子数浓度N呈线性变化关系。因此,通过探测非共振信号强度与分子数浓度关系可以为混合物中特定成分的定量光谱分析提供一种研究途径。     

Practical effects of pressure-transmitting media on neutron diffraction experiments using Paris–Edinburgh presses

ABSTRACT

To understand the practical effects of pressure-transmitting media (PTM) on neutron diffraction using Paris–Edinburgh presses, diffraction patterns of MgO were collected to approximately 20?GPa using PTMs of Pb, AgCl, 4:1 methanol–ethanol (ME) mixture with and without heating, N₂, and Ar. Hydrostaticity in the sample chamber estimated from the MgO 220 peak width improves in the order of Pb, AgCl, Ar, ME mixture, N₂, and the heated ME mixture. Unlike previous results using diamond anvil cells, the unheated ME mixture is superior to Ar even after freezing, probably due to the cup on the anvil face. Considering these results and the sizable coherent scattering of Ne, which would show good hydrostaticity, we conclude that the ME mixture (preferably the heated one) is the best PTM in neutron experiments up to 20?GPa, while Ar can be substituted when a sample is reactive to alcohols.     

Dependence of nuclear diffraction on the azimuthal angle: (002)- and (0010)-reflections of YIG

Nuclear diffraction of synchrotron radiation has been investigated using YIG single crystals in different scattering geometries. Time resolved quantum beat spectra of pure nuclear (002) and (0010) Bragg reflections were observed in a set-up where the hyperfine interaction was kept constant, while the azimuthal angle in the (001) surface between the [100] axis and the scattering plane (k _in,k _out) was varied. The time spectra were analyzed by means of the dynamical theory for coherent nuclear scattering. The results revealed the high sensitivity of this experimental technique on the complete set of hyperfine interaction parameters and on the specific geometrical conditions for nuclear diffraction of polarized γ-rays.     

Spontaneous parametric light scattering in spatially inhomogeneous nonlinear media based on photonic crystals

The emission spectra of nonlinear media with periodical modulation of the second-order susceptibility that are based on synthetic opals infiltrated by Ba(NO₃)₂, LiIO₃, and KH₂PO₄ are studied using radiation with λ = 400 and 407 nm for excitation. The spectral angular distribution of the emission in the range of 420–650 nm is revealed, as well as the dependence of its spectrum on the photonic stop-band parameters and the exciting radiation characteristics. The emission spectrum of samples with a low dielectric contrast has the shape of a symmetric band with a maximum at 525 nm and a half-width of about 100 nm. The observed emission is interpreted as spontaneous parametric light scattering in a spatially inhomogeneous nonlinear medium.     

Nonlinear photonic crystals: II. Interaction classification for quadratic nonlinearities

Abstract

Weakly nonlinear interactions between wavepackets in lossless periodic dielectric media are studied based on the classical nonlinear Maxwell equations. We consider nonlinear processes such that: (i) the amplitude of the wave component due to the nonlinearity does not exceed the amplitude of its linear component; (ii) the spatial range of a probing wavepacket is much smaller than the dimension of the medium sample, and it is not too small compared with the dimension of the primitive cell. These nonlinear processes are naturally described in terms of the Bloch modes and the dispersion relations of the underlying linear periodic medium. It turns out that only a few triads of modes have significant nonlinear interactions. They are singled out by the frequency and phase matching conditions and, as we show, by an additional selection rule: the group velocity matching condition. The latter condition is the most important selection rule for the nonlinear regimes. We give a complete quantitative classification of all possible significant interactions for quadratic nonlinearities. The classification is based on a universal system of indices reflecting the intensity of nonlinear interactions. The obtained classification points to the second harmonic generation as being one of the stronger nonlinear interactions, and often the strongest one.     

The temperature dependence of intensity and the function of the transition dipole moment for the induced optical absorption bands of oxygen in the region of the Herzberg photodissociation continuum (200–230 nm)

Application of coherent interaction of laser light with a focused ultrasonic wave to the technique of acoustooptic visualization in multiple-scattering media is discussed. By analyzing spatial distribution of the optical radiation modulated by ultrasound (the photocurrent at ultrasonic frequency), images of large-sized inhomogeneities embedded into the scattering medium have been obtained. A light-absorbing half-plane and a square with sides of 5 mm were used as the inhomogeneities. The visualization was performed under optimal conditions for measuring the alternating photocurrent calculated for the proposed model of coherent interaction between the laser and acoustic beams (the Raman-Nath diffraction). The alternating current at the ultrasonic frequency was obtained as a result of mixing the waves of the diffraction fields on the detector’s photocathode. All experimental values were obtained from a single measurement without averaging the alternating photocurrent at the ultrasonic frequency of 3 MHz, with the scattering parameter varying up to μL≤37.5, where μ is the extinction coefficient and L is the thickness of the scattering medium along the laser beam axis. The measured quantities varied in the course of the measurements by more than 10 orders of magnitude.     

Periodic density redistribution of parametrically excited spin waves in an antiferromagnet

A nonuniform distribution of the density of parametrically excited magnons is observed experimentally in an antiferromagnetic CsMnF₃ sample. The nonuniform distribution occurs at a high pumping power when oscillations of the high frequency susceptibility occur. These oscillations were observed earlier and their nature was not clear. It is found that during the increase of the absorbed power on the occurrence of the oscillation, the spin wave condenses near the middle of the sample. The condensation occurs as a result of a nonlinear shift of the magnon spectrum and is similar to self-focusing of light in nonlinear media. The electromagnetic radiation of parametrically excited spin waves is studied. It is found that the periodic redistribution of the density exerts an additional restrictive effect on the amplitude of the parametrically excited magnons.     

Field splitting of a nonabsorbing state

This paper analyzes a four-level system interacting with four strong fields with frequencies combining into a cycle. The conditions for coherent population trapping, when a nonabsorbing superposition of states forms, are calculated. It is found that, in contrast to a three-level system, the nonabsorbing state splits, i.e., is realized at two values of the detuning. Such splitting manifests itself as narrow dips in the frequency dependence of the upper-level population. Similar dips are found in the spectrum of the nonlinear susceptibility, which is responsible for the conversion efficiency in the process of four-wave mixing. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 1961–1972 (June 1999)     

Coherent Raman and hyper-Raman spectroscopy of excited and autoionizing states of atoms and ions in laser-produced and electric-discharge plasma

Summary The experimental results on four-wave Raman and hyper-Raman scattering in a laser-produced and electric-discharge plasma are presented. It has been shown that in spectra of four-wave mixing processes resonances appear due to the Raman and hyper-Raman scattering on atomic and ionic excited states. The temporal behaviour of the scattered-signal intensity has been found to be connected with the population relaxation of atomic and ionic excited states. We have observed for the first time the resonance in the spectrum of coherent hyper-Raman scattering in electric-discharge plasma associated with the electron transition between the excited and autoionizing state of a copper atom. Paper presented at the ?XI European CARS Workshop?, Florence, Italy, 23–25 March, 1992.     

Nonlinear photonic crystals: I. Quadratic nonlinearity

Abstract

We develop a consistent mathematical theory of weakly nonlinear periodic dielectric media for the dimensions one, two and three. The theory is based on the Maxwell equations with classical quadratic and cubic constitutive relations. In particular, we give a complete classification of different nonlinear interactions between Floquet–Bloch modes based on indices which measure the strength of the interactions. The indices take on a small number of prescribed values which are collected in a table. The theory rests on the asymptotic analysis of oscillatory integrals describing the nonlinear interactions.     

Influence of grain size distribution on the lattice thermal conductivity of Bi2Te3-Sb2Te3-based nanostructured materials

The change of the lattice thermal conductivity of bulk nanostructured materials based on Bi₂Te₃-Sb₂Te₃ solid solutions with grain size distribution has been studied. These materials have a polycrystalline structure with grain sizes ranging from a few tens of a nanometer to a few micrometers. Large grains may contain inclusions or consist of several smaller parts which can be identified with coherent scattering regions seen in X-ray diffraction. The change of the lattice thermal conductivity mediated by additional scattering by inclusions and grain boundaries has been calculated. This calculation allows for the effect of nanoparticle size distribution. The calculated estimates are compared with the available experimental data.     

磁场中简并四波混频的偏振旋转效应

本文讨论了磁场中简并四波混频的偏振旋转效应。计算了J_g=0→J_e=1跃迁的三阶非线性极化率X_yxx⁽³⁾。它包括两个部分:一部分是由于布居差的饱和效应产生的;另一部分是由于原子与光场的相互作用中,感生出来的塞曼相干所造成的。 关键词：     

Fano resonance in quadratic waveguide arrays

We study resonant light scattering in arrays of channel optical waveguides in which tunable quadratic non-linearity is introduced as nonlinear defects by periodic poling of single (or several) waveguides in the array. We describe novel features of wave scattering that can be observed in this structure and show that it is a good candidate for observation of Fano resonance in nonlinear optics.     

铷原子热蒸气中强非线性效应产生激光模式图样的实验研究

研究了具有高斯横向分布的连续激光束单次通过铷原子蒸气后,在近共振附近铷原子蒸气中,由强的非线性克尔效应导致激光分裂成细丝的现象,并且这些细丝的衍射图样在远场通过相干叠加,可以形成具有规则结构的斑图模式.实验上研究了输入光功率,铷泡温度和抽运激光频率相对于⁸⁵Rb原子D₂线的不同失谐位置等因素对斑图模式的影响.由于铷原子的超精细能级结构,在铷原子蒸气中同时存在与三阶非线性效应相关的四波混频现象,通过扫描探测光的频率同时观察到具有斯托克斯和反斯托克斯光子的拉曼增益现象. 关键词： 铷原子蒸气 克尔效应 自聚焦 斑图     

A study on the optical nonlinearity due to the Z3 and Z1,2 excitons of CuCl by the reflected four-wave mixed light generation

We have demonstrated the generation of the reflected four-wave mixed light in the energy region from 3.185 eV to 3.320 eV including the highly absorptive region due to the Z₃ and Z_1,2 exciton bands of CuCl at 1.6 K. The mixed light signal is concluded to be due to the one-photon resonant contribution of the respective exciton level, from its polarization characteristics. The corresponding third order non-linear susceptibility is estimated from the data by the correction with the Fresnel factors which are calculated on the basis of the Pekar's Additional Boundary Condition.