New nonlinear optical processes in liquid crystals

We have worked out some consequences of the optical nonlinearities due to laser induced changes in the order parameter of a liquid crystal. The change in the order parameter can be affected by laser induced suppression of the director fluctuations in liquid crystals and or changes in the tilt angle of smectic liquid crystals. Both the processes lead to well known nonlinear optical effects like self-focusing, self-divergence, self-phase modulation, wave mixing, and so on. In addition, we predict some new phenomena like self-iridescence and new types of optical spatial solitons. In the case of chiral liquid crystals in the short wavelength limit the laser beam induces a change in the twist and at the long wavelength edge of the Bragg band it leads to temporal oscillations in the twist and the transmitted intensity. In smectic liquid crystals interesting periodic structures in a standing laser wave are to be expected.     

Determination of nonlinear optical characteristics of transparent materials using single laser pulses

A new method of express analysis of nonlinear optical properties of materials by determining their nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption upon irradiation by a single laser pulse is proposed. The nonlinear optical characteristics of media are determined based on an analysis of variations in the spatial distribution of radiation focused by a cylindrical lens and passed through the medium. The method proposed is tested by the example of optical nonlinearities of CS₂.     

Femtosecond synchronization of radio frequency signals with optical pulse trains

A synchronization scheme for extraction of low-jitter rf signals from optical pulse trains, which is robust against photodetector nonlinearities, is described. The scheme is based on a transfer of timing information into an intensity imbalance of the two output beams from a Sagnac loop. Sub-100-fs timing jitter between the extracted 2-GHz rf signal and the 100-MHz optical pulse train from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser is demonstrated.     

Multi-color ultrafast laser platform for nonlinear optical imaging based on independently tunable optical parametric oscillators

We report on design of a multi-color laser set up that allows for high spectral, time and spatial resolution imaging based on second- and third-order optical nonlinearities in soft condensed matter. Two femtosecond optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) are pumped simultaneously to provide intrinsically synchronized pulses at more than a dozen tunable colors across visible and infrared wavelengths. We demonstrate the use of independently tunable OPOs in a variety of imaging modalities. In one useful application, we explore brain tissue in a two-photon absorption fluorescence imaging experiment with near infrared optical pulses (λ ~ 1,070 nm). We also demonstrate second and sum-frequency generation microscopies in different tissues. Results from application of time-resolved, three-color coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering in tissue are presented to demonstrate feasibility of quantitative spectroscopic imaging.     

Large third-order optical nonlinearities in brilliant green solutions induced by CW He-Ne laser

Laser induced third-order nonlinear optical responses of Brilliant Green solution (which belongs to triphenylmethane organic dye group) was investigated by utilizing single beam Z-scan technique using a continuous wave He-Ne laser at the wavelength of 632.8 nm. It was observed that the material exhibits self-defocusing and saturation absorption type optical nonlinearity behavior. The measurements of the real and imaginary parts of the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility were carried out at several incident laser irradiations and different dye concentrations. It was found that the increase in any of the incident laser intensity or solution concentration leads to the linear increase of the nonlinear refractive index. The obtained values of the third-order nonlinearities of Brilliant Green solutions are amongst the highest reported CW regimes, to the best of our knowledge. This study shows a great potential of the Brilliant Green for the application in nonlinear optical devices.     

Low-threshold high-dynamic-range optical limiter for ultra-short laser pulses

We demonstrate an optical limiter for ultra-short (∼100-fs) laser pulses. The device has a dynamic range (= damage energy/onset-of-limiting energy) of more than 10000 and an onset-of-limiting energy of only ∼10 nJ. The output-pulse energy is kept below 1.3 μJ. The limiting mechanism is based on two-photon absorption and refractive nonlinearities in a 20-mm piece of ZnSe. We discuss the importance of the different nonlinearities, damage issues, and guidelines for the construction of the device. Received: 20 December 2001 / Revised version: 25 March 2002 / Published online: 8 May 2002     

Low power continuous wave laser induced optical nonlinearities in saffron (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus Sativus</Emphasis> L.)

We report on the low power CW laser induced nonlinear optical responses of Saffron (stigmata of Crocus Savitus L.) ethanol and methanol extracts. The optical nonlinearities were investigated by performing Z-scan measurements at 470 and 535 nm wavelengths. At both wavelengths the material has a strong nonlinear refraction, mainly of thermal origin. However, only at 470 nm wavelength the material exhibit pronounced saturable nonlinear absorption. Long-term (70 days) stability measurements indicated that the nonlinearities in the Saffron extracts are due to their nonvolatile components. This study shows that there is great potential for Saffron extracts to be used in nonlinear photonic applications.     

Controlled shift of optical bistability hysteresis curve and storage of optical signals in a four-level atomic system

The dependence of the shift of an optical bistability hysteresis curve on the nonlinear phase shift induced by a controlling light is observed in a four-level atomic system of 87 Rb inside an optical ring cavity. In the process the intensity of the coupling beam keeps constant and the atomic system is operated at near conditions of coherent population trapping due to atomic coherence. The refractive and absorptive chi3 nonlinearities enhanced by atomic coherence provide the physical mechanism of the phenomena. Based on the effects, all-optical flip-flop and storage of optical pulse signals with a low peak power of several tens of microwatts are implemented.     

Transient grating optical nonlinearities in nematic,cholesteric and smectic liquid crystals

The transients of Kerr-like optical nonlinearities in various liquid crystals observed with picosecond light-induced dynamic gratings are discussed. It is shown that relatively high intensities and strong optical fields of short laser pulses lead to rapid molecular reorientation, ultrasound generation, multiphoton absorption, cholesteric helix deformation and other new phenomena which are not only of interest for basic liquid-crystal research but also determine photonic switching times in liquid crystalline all-optical devices.     

Study on optical nonlinearities of ZnO-Nb2O5-TeO2 glass with time-resolved four-wave mixing technique

We investigated nonlinear optical properties of ZnO-Nb2O5-TeO2 glass excited by a femtosecond laser with time-resolved four-wave mixing (FWM) technique. The unusual FWM signals were observed in samples with ZnO dopant. The mechanism for the optical nonlinearities was discussed.     

Applications of photorefractive crystals for optical neural networks

Photorefraction is a nonlinear optical effect in which large nonlinearities can be observed at relatively low optical power levels. This phenomenon has evolved from a laboratory curiosity to a useful device technology for optical information processing applications. In particular, the abilities to form holograms in real time and also to store thern for extended periods of time have aided the implementation of several pattern-reccgnition machines that are adaptive and possess a high degree of parallelism. This paper reviews the photorefractive effect as a device technology for the problem of pattern recognition and describes a photorefractive realization of an adaptive pattern classifier.     

掺Ag纳米颗粒的BaTiO3复合薄膜的非线性光学特性

通过准分子激光(XeCl, 308 nm, 20 ns)在MgO(100)单晶衬底上制备了不同掺杂浓度的Ag:BaTiO₃纳米复合薄膜,通过X射线衍射和X射线光电子能谱对薄膜的结构和组分进行了表征.在430 nm和470 nm附近观测到了不同浓度Ag纳米颗粒引起的等离子体吸收峰,通过z扫描技术对复合薄膜的三阶非线性光学特性进行了测量,并对其光学非线性的增强机制进行了讨论. 关键词： 金属纳米复合薄膜 激光沉积 非线性光学     

Stimulated supercontinuum-radiation generation of carbon disulfide by all-trans-β-carotene fluorescence enhancement effect in liquid core optical fibre

We demonstrate stimulated supercontinuum-radiation of carbon disulfide (CS₂) influenced by biological molecules all-trans-β -carotene in liquid core optical fibre (LCOF). By virtue of the broad fluorescence characteristics and large third-order optical nonlinearities of all-{trans}-β-carotene,the high-order Stokes lines of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and the multi-order Stokes lines of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) excitated by SRS are observed at low input-laser energies. The results indicate that the fluorescence not only enhances the SRS, but also the SBS. These Stokes lines generate the SRS--SBS supercontinuum radiation (RBSR). A flat-amplitude bandwidth of 110 nm from 515nm to 625nm is observed when a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532nm with an energy of 0.86mJ is used. This result is expected to be useful for the multi-wavelength fibre laser.     

CuO薄膜的三阶非线性光学特性研究

采用脉冲激光沉积技术在Si(100)和熔石英基片上制备了单相的CuO薄膜.通过X射线衍射仪,拉曼光谱仪,场发射扫描电镜和紫外可见光光度计对薄膜的结构,表面形貌和光学性质进行了表征. 场发射扫描电镜结果表明CuO薄膜中晶粒排列致密且分布均匀,其尺寸约为45nm.结合飞秒激光(800nm,50fs)和Z扫描方法测量了薄膜的三阶非线性光学特性,结果表明CuO薄膜具有超快的非线性光学响应且非线性折射率和非线性吸收系数均为负值,其大小分别为-3.96×10^-17 m^{2< 关键词： CuO薄膜 Z-扫描')" href="#">Z-扫描 三阶光学非线性}     

The nonlinear optical response of a fluorine-containing azoic dye

The nonlinear optical nonlinearities of a fluorine-containing azoic dye in tetrahydrofuran have been investigated by using Z-scan technique with picosecond and nanosecond lasers. The experimental results reveal that the azoic dye has large optical nonlinearity under the excitations of picosecond and nanosecond 532 nm. At the picosecond 532 nm the solution presents negative nonlinear refraction due to the electronic effect, while the larger nonlinear refraction under nanosecond laser excitation is induced by thermal effect. Moreover, the different nonlinear absorption behavior under picosecond and nanosecond excitations is analyzed.     

利用钟跃迁谱线测量超稳光学参考腔的零温漂点

在87Sr光晶格钟实验系统中,通过将自由运转的698 nm激光频率锁定在由超低膨胀系数的玻璃材料构成的超稳光学参考腔上,从而获得短期频率稳定性较好的超稳窄线宽激光.超稳光学参考腔的腔长稳定性决定了最终激光频率的稳定度.为了降低腔长对温度的敏感性,使激光频率具有更好的稳定度和更小的频率漂移,利用锶原子光晶格钟的钟跃迁谱线,测量了698 nm超稳窄线宽激光系统中超稳光学参考腔的零温漂点.通过对钟跃迁谱线中心频率随温度的变化曲线进行二阶多项式拟合,得到698 nm超稳窄线宽激光系统的零温漂点为30.63℃.利用锶原子光晶格钟的闭环锁定,测得零温漂点处698 nm超稳窄线宽激光系统的线性频率漂移率为0.15 Hz/s,频率不稳定度为1.6×10^–15@3.744 s.     

Fermionic light in common optical media

Recent experiments have proved that the response to short laser pulses of common optical media, such as air or oxygen, can be described by focusing Kerr and higher order nonlinearities of alternating signs. Such media support the propagation of steady solitary waves. We argue by both numerical and analytical computations that the low-power fundamental bright solitons satisfy an equation of state which is similar to that of a degenerate gas of fermions at zero temperature. Considering, in particular, the propagation in both O2 and air, we also find that the high-power solutions behave like droplets of ordinary liquids. We then show how a grid of the fermionic light bubbles can be generated and forced to merge in a liquid droplet. This leads us to propose a set of experiments aimed at the production of both the fermionic and liquid phases of light, and at the demonstration of the transition from the former to the latter.     

Low- and high-order nonlinear optical characterization of C60-containing media

Third- and higher-order nonlinear optical processes in fullerenes were studies to define the influence of low-order nonlinearities on the high-order harmonic generation in these media. We measured the nonlinear absorption coefficients of the C₆₀:toluene solution using the 532 and 1064 nm, 50 ps pulses. The high-order harmonic generation was studied during propagation of the 790 nm, 150 fs pulses through the plasmas produced on surfaces containing fullerene powder. These studies have shown that the low-order nonlinearities of fullerenes have no impact on the generation of harmonics in such mediums in the vacuum ultraviolet range at optimal intensity of laser radiation.     

Enhancement of optical switching parameter and third-order optical nonlinearities in embedded Si nanocrystals: A theoretical assessment

Third-order bound-charge electronic nonlinearities of Si nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in a wide band-gap matrix representing silica are theoretically studied using an atomistic pseudopotential approach. Nonlinear refractive index, two-photon absorption and optical switching parameter are examined from small clusters to NCs up to a size of 3 nm. Compared to bulk values, Si NCs show higher third-order optical nonlinearities and much wider two-photon absorption-free energy gap which gives rise to enhancement in the optical switching parameter.