Wideband wavelength conversion using double-pass cascaded χ:χ interaction in lossy waveguides

We report the wavelength conversion based on double-pass cascaded nonlinear interaction (χ⁽²⁾:χ⁽²⁾) of sum and difference frequency generation in quasi-phase matched lithium niobate waveguides and compare it with double-pass cascaded second harmonic generation and difference frequency generation with and without waveguide loss. It is shown that the efficiency decreases considerably even for the low-loss waveguide compared to the lossless one especially for long waveguides and to achieve the higher efficiency for the same length, the amount of the extra power to compensate the loss increases. Also, an increased detuning of pump wavelength is proposed to flatten the response with a small efficiency penalty. The detuning- and loss-compensating pump powers can be found using the design diagrams in which the criteria for the design of waveguide length and the assignment of pumps power to obtain the desired efficiency, ripple and bandwidth are presented assuming a 75-nm pump wavelength difference.     

Poling induced higher order nonlinearity changes in lead zirconate titanate ceramic

High order nonlinear behaviors in Pb(Zr_1?x,Ti_x)O₃ (PZT) ceramics were studied using the harmonic generation technique, both before and after poling. It was found that the amplitude of the third harmonic is smaller than that of the second harmonic before poling, but the situation is reversed after poling with a substantial increase of the third harmonic amplitude. Noticeable time dependence of nonlinearities were observed in poled ceramics, which gradually decreased and saturated after about two days. These facts confirmed the generation of microcracks during poling.     

Third harmonic transmit phasing for SNR improvement in tissue harmonic imaging with Golay-encoded excitation

Background

Ultrasound tissue harmonic signal generally provides superior image quality as compared to the linear signal. However, since the generation of the tissue harmonic signal is based on finite amplitude distortion of the propagating waveform, the penetration and the sensitivity in tissue harmonic imaging are markedly limited because of the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Methods

The method of third harmonic (3f₀) transmit phasing can improve the tissue harmonic SNR by transmitting at both the fundamental (2.25 MHz) and the 3f₀ (6.75 MHz) frequencies to achieve mutual enhancement between the frequency-sum and the frequency-difference components of the second harmonic signal. To further increase the SNR without excessive transmit pressure, coded excitation can be incorporated in 3f₀ transmit phasing to boost the tissue harmonic generation.

Results

Our analyses indicate that the phase-encoded Golay excitation is suitable in 3f₀ transmit phasing due to its superior transmit bandwidth efficiency. The resultant frequency-sum and frequency-difference components of tissue harmonic signal can be simultaneously Golay-encoded for SNR improvement. The increase of the main-lobe signal with the Golay excitation in 3f₀ transmit phasing are consistent between the tissue harmonic measurements and the simulations. B-mode images of the speckle generating phantom also demonstrate the increases of tissue harmonic SNR for about 11 dB without noticeable compression artifacts.

Conclusion

For tissue harmonic imaging in combination with the 3f₀ transmit phasing method, the Golay excitation can provide further SNR improvement. Meanwhile, the axial resolution can be effectively restored by pulse compression while the lateral resolution remains unchanged.     

Absolute measurements of third order susceptibilities

We determined the third-order susceptibility of quartz by comparing third harmonic generation and a two-step process: second harmonic generation and two-wave mixing. The value of χ_xxx⁽³⁾ is given as a function of [χ_xxx⁽²⁾]². The values of χ_xxx⁽³⁾ of LiF and benzene are determined by comparison with quartz.     

Second harmonic generation in the paraelectric phase in powders and ceramics of BaTiO3

A second harmonic signal has been clearly observed in powders and ceramics of BaTiO₃ in the high-temperature phase. The effect manifests itself at temperatures 500 K above the temperature of the phase transition from the tetragonal phase to the cubic phase, which is also significantly higher than the Burns temperature of BaTiO₃. The temperature dependence of the second harmonic generation signal I _2?? in the paraelectric phase becomes a straight line when plotted in the Arrhenius coordinates lnI _2??(1/T). The experimental results obtained indicate the presence of noncentrosymmetric local regions in the paraelectric phase over a wide range of temperatures. The contribution from these polar regions to the second harmonic generation increases as the phase transition temperature is approached. The temperature dependence of the second harmonic generation in barium titanate ceramics is significantly affected by the technique used for pressing and annealing of the samples.     

Influence of third-order nonlinear and phase variations on third harmonic generation

A theoretical analysis is presented for third-harmonic generation in KDP for type I/type II angle-detuning scheme of high-intensity laser to produce third harmonic radiation near 0.35 μm. The effects of the third-order nonlinearity and the phase variations on the frequency conversion have been discussed. The results shown that the third-order nonlinear interactions decreases the tripling efficiency, and increases of the modulate strength of the output intensity of 3ω radiation. However, adjusting the angular detuning can compensate effectively the effects of third-order nonlinearity. Furthermore, 3ω conversion efficiency will drop with the increase of the degree of phase variations, and the increase 3ω conversion efficiency can decrease the influence of third-order nonlinearity on the conversion of third harmonics.     

Nonlinear susceptibilities of vapors and solutions of organic dyes

Results of theoretical studies of laser and Kerr nonlinear susceptibilities of vapors and solutions of organic dyes using a series of polycyclic arenes as an example are presented. Nonlinear susceptibilities of the third χ⁽³⁾ (?3ω; ω, ω, ω) and the fifth χ⁽⁵⁾ (?3ω; ω, ω, ω, ω, ?ω) orders of a series of organic dyes responsible for third harmonic generation of Nd:YAG laser radiation are calculated within the context of the free electron model. Results of calculations of their Kerr third-order nonlinear susceptibilities χ⁽³⁾ (?ω; ω, ?ω, ω) and non-linear refractive indices n ₂ are presented. The calculation results are compared with experimental data on third harmonic generation in naphthalene vapors and with χ⁽³⁾ (?ω; ω, ?ω, ω) as well as n ₂ of paraterphenyl and naphthalene solutions.     

Wetting layer and size effects on the nonlinear optical properties of semi oblate and prolate Si0.7Ge0.3/Si quantum dots

Semi oblate and semi prolate are among the most probable self-organized nanostructures shapes. The optoelectronic properties of such nanostructures are not just manipulated with the height and lateral size but also with the wetting layer element. The practical interest of derivatives of germanium and silicon has a great important role in optoelectronic devices. This study is a contribution to the analysis of linear and nonlinear optical properties of Si_0.7Ge_0.3/Si. In the framework of the effective mass approximation, we solve numerically the Schrödinger equation relative to one particle confined in Si_0.7Ge_0.3/Si semi prolate and semi oblate quantum dots by using the finite element method and by taking into consideration the effect of the wetting layer. The energy spectrum of the lowest states and the dipolar matrix for the fourth allowed transitions are determined and discussed. We also calculate the detailed optical properties, including absorption coefficients, refractive index changes, second and third harmonic generation as a function of the quantum dot sizes. We found that with the change in the size of prolate and oblate quantum dots, there is a shift in the resonance peaks for the absorption coefficient and refractive index. It is due to the modification in the energy levels with changing size. The study proves a redshift in the second harmonic generation and third harmonic generation coefficients with an increase in the height/radius of the oblate/prolate quantum dot, respectively. We also demonstrated the variation of wavefunction inside the quantum dot with the change in wetting layer thickness.     

Second-and third-harmonic generation by carbon nanotubes irradiated with femtosecond laser pulses

Femtosecond pulses of a Cr:forsterite laser are used to study second-and third-harmonic generation in a layer of single-wall carbon nanotubes produced by low-velocity spraying. The harmonic amplitude in our experiments scales as (I _p)ⁿ as a function of the pump intensity I _p, with n=2 and 3 for the second and third harmonics, respectively. This scaling law holds up to pump intensities on the order of 10¹²W/cm². The ratio of the maximum signal to the averaged background in the spectra of the second and third harmonics is estimated as 50 and 30, respectively. The second and third harmonics produced by a linearly polarized pump field are also linearly polarized, with their polarization vectors oriented along the polarization direction of the pump field. The capabilities of nonlinear-optical methods for structural and morphological analysis of carbon nanotubes are discussed, as well as ways to create solid-state carbon-nanotube generators of optical harmonic.     

Enhanced third harmonic generation by introducing quasi-phase mismatches due to electro-optic effect

Third harmonic can be realized by the coupled second-harmonic (ω₁ + ω₁ → ω₂) and sum-frequency (ω₁ + ω₂ → ω₃) generation. However, in quasi-phase matching conditions, the efficiency of third harmonic is usually low due to the larger coupling coefficient ratio. In this paper, the third-harmonic generation in a periodically poled LiTaO₃ has been experimentally studied, where the electro-optic effect was employed to manipulate the phase mismatches and energy distribution of the coupled waves. With the DC electric field varying from 0 to 140 V/mm, the output of third harmonic can be enhanced from about 95 to 312 mW. The method provides a simple and convenient way to control the efficiencies of frequency conversion.     

Frequency dependence of the large,electronic χ(3) in polyacetylene

The third order optical susceptibilities (χ⁽³⁾) of trans- and cis- (CH)_x have been determined in the spectral region below the gap by measuring the third harmonic generation efficiency. The magnitude of χ⁽³⁾ parallel to the polymer chains in trans-(CH)_x is in excess of 10⁻⁹ esu for wavelengths larger than 1.3 μm, and the spectrum of χ⁽³⁾ in trans-(CH)_x has a sharp two-photon resonance at an energy corresponding to half the semiconducting gap. Both the off resonance and the two-phonon resonance enhanced values of χ⁽³⁾ are explained by a simple band picture.     

Generation of the third harmonic of near IR femtosecond laser radiation tightly focused into the bulk of a transparent dielectric in the regime of plasma formation

The generation of the third harmonic of femtosecond laser radiation with a wavelength of 1.24 μm tightly focused into the bulk of fused silica was simulated numerically for the regime with light intensity of 3 × 10¹³ W/cm², which is extreme for solid bodies. The efficiency of third harmonic generation (THG) was found to be restricted to 0.1% in the regime of plasma formation. This is determined by two competitive processes: a decrease of THG efficiency due to an increase of wave detuning and an increase of THG efficiency due to a growth of focusing asymmetry. In an isotropic medium, determination of the threshold of plasma formation by use of the third harmonic signal is shown to be a more sensitive method as compared with the standard scheme of nonlinear transmittance detection.     

Supersymmetric quantum-well shape optimization for intersubband bound–continuum second harmonic generation

A method is described for the optimized design of quantum-well structures, with respect to maximizing the second-order susceptibilities relevant for second harmonic generation. The possibility is explored of obtaining resonantly enhanced nonlinear optical susceptibilities in quantum wells with two bound states and a continuum resonance state as the dominant third state. The method relies on applying the isospectral (energy structure preserving) transformations to an initial Hamiltonian in order to generate a parameter-controlled family of Hamiltonians. By changing the values of control parameters one changes the potential shape and thus the values of matrix elements relevant to susceptibility to be maximized. The method was used for the design of Al_xGa_1 − xAs -based QWs. The results indicate the possibility of employing continuum states in resonant second harmonic generation at higher photon energies,ℏω =  200–300 meV.     

Dielectric and calorimetric investigations of KNO3 in pores of nanoporous silica matrices MCM-41

The temperature dependences of the linear dielectric permittivity, the third harmonic amplitude, and the heat capacity of nanoporous silica matrices MCM-41 with cellular channels (3.7 and 2.6 nm in diameter) filled with KNO₃ have been investigated in comparison with those obtained for bulk potassium nitrate. Measurements have been performed during heating and cooling in the range from room temperature to 463 K. Anomalies corresponding to structural phase transitions have been observed. A significant broadening of the temperature region of the existence of the ferroelectric phase III of potassium nitrate upon cooling has been revealed. This broadening increases with a decrease in the size of pores. It has been shown that, in the nanocomposites with potassium nitrate, the ferroelectric phase can also be formed during heating. The efficiency of observation of the third harmonic generation for studying nanocomposites with the ferroelectric phase has been demonstrated.     

Temperature phase-matching properties of mixed chalcopyrite AgGa1−xInxS2 crystal

AgGa_1−xIn_xS₂ with x = 0.14 ± 0.01 was found to be 90° phase-matchable for the second harmonic generation (SHG) of CO₂ laser radiation at 10.591 μm at 203 °C. In addition, temperature-tuned 90° phase-matched difference frequency generation (DFG) at 4.02 μm was demonstrated by mixing the idler output of a Nd:YAG third harmonic pumped β-BBO optical parametric oscillator and its fundamental source at 1.0642 μm. The Sellmeier and thermo-optic dispersion formulas that reproduce well these experimental data are presented.     

All-solid-state continuous wave intracavity frequency-tripled Nd:YVO4-LiB3O4 blue laser using double-resonant approach

In the paper, a new way of intracavity frequency-tripled all-solid-state laser to generate continuous wave blue coherent radiation is firstly demonstrated. High-efficiency of continuous wave third harmonic generation using the approach of double-resonance at fundamental frequency and second harmonic is developed by insertion of one wedge prism for the phase control. The maximum output power at the wavelength of 447 nm, which was generated with two long LiB₃O₄ crystals by noncritical phase matching, is about 1.15 W with a beam quality factor of M² of 1.05. From the experimental results, the generation of continuous wave blue light using this way with higher conversion efficiency can be achieved.     

Theory and experiment analysis of factors affecting THG efficiency for the TIL prototype laser facility

Based on the study and manufacture of the technical integration experiment line (TIL) prototype laser facility, and using the method that theoretical simulations guide experiments and experimental results check programs, the factors affecting third harmonic generation (THG) efficiency for a large-aperture, high-intensity inertial confinement fusion (ICF) laser facility have been analyzed and studied in detail. Furthermore, in the year 2004-2005, the output ability of a THG system for a TIL driver has been discussed adequately in a first beam eligibility experiment. As shown by experimental results, when the average drive irradiance of fundamental light, I_1ω, is 2.7 GW/cm², the measured value of THG efficiency is 50-55% and the theoretical value is 60%, which indicates that the experimental result agrees well with the theoretical value.     

Continuous-wave Nd:YVO4/KTiOPO4 green laser at 542 nm under diode pumping into the emitting level

We report a green laser at 542 nm generation by intracavity frequency doubling of a continuous wave (CW) laser operation of a 1086 nm Nd:YVO₄ laser under 880 nm diode pumping into the emitting level ⁴ F _3/2. A KTiOPO₄ (KTP) crystal, cut for critical type I phase matching at room temperature is used for second harmonic generation of the laser. At an incident pump power of 14.5 W, as high as 1.33 W of CW output power at 542 nm is achieved. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is up to 9.2%, and the fluctuation of the green output power was better than 3.8% in the given 30 min.     

Observation of a sharp lambda peak in the third harmonic voltage response of high-T superconductor thin films

In this paper, we report on the sharp peak observed in the third harmonic voltage response generated by a bias sinusoidal current applied to several strips patterned in a YBa₂Cu₃O _{7 - δ} thin film and in two La_2-xSr_xCuO₄ thin films, when the temperature is close to the normal-superconductor transition. The lambda-shaped temperature dependence of the third harmonic signal on the current characteristics is studied. Several physical mechanisms of third harmonic generation are examined. Received 13 November 2002 / Received in final form 21 February 2003 Published online 7 May 2003     

High efficiency generation of 355 nm radiation by extra-cavity frequency conversion

High efficiency extra-cavity third harmonic generation (THG) of 355 nm has been developed. A laser diode (LD) end-pumped, acoustic-optical Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was used as the fundamental wave source. With an input pump power of 25 W, average power of 6.75 W at 1064 nm was generated with the repetition rate 12 kHz and pulse duration 10 ns. Using the extra-cavity frequency conversion of three critical phase match (CPM) LiB₃O₅ (LBO) crystals, 3.2 W third harmonic radiation at 355 nm was obtained. The optical-to-optical (1064 nm to 355 nm) conversion efficiency was up to 47.4%.