Effect of thermal blooming in second-harmonic generation in nonlinear crystals with a regular domain structure

Analytical expressions are obtained for the power of the second harmonic in nonlinear crystals having a regular domain structure with allowance for thermal blooming for a Gaussian beam of basic radiation in the quasi-stationary plane-wave approximation. Calculations were carried out in both the approximation of an assigned field of basic radiation and a substantially nonlinear regime of exhaustion of basic radiation. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 2, pp,. 257–260, March–April, 2000.     

Propagation of laser beams and caustics in crystals

We investigated the propagation and transformation of laser beams and the formation of caustics in particular directions, including optical axes of crystals. We found a direct connection between the particular directions and the curvature of wave surfaces that is determined by the symmetry and optical properties of the crystals. We demonstrated that caustics in particular directions are characterized by a degree of the curvature degeneracy and are described by particular solutions of the corresponding nonlinear equations. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 4, pp. 491–498, July–August, 2007.     

Nonlinear refractive index of vanadate crystals in the near IR region

We used the single-beam Z-scan method, employing picosecond laser pulses with λ = 1064 nm, to measure the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption in vanadate crystals, which are promising for design of laser sources. We have established that there is practically no nonlinear absorption in these crystals in the near IR range and that doping them with neodymium ions leads to a significant reduction in the nonlinear refraction. This effect can be used to partially compensate for the negative impact of nonlinear refraction on the lasing characteristics of lasers.     

Frequency synthesis of the 0.63 μm radiation by mixing of three IR radiation frequencies in a gas

The present paper offers a scheme of synthesis and measurement of frequency of 0.63 μm laser radiation based on mixing of three frequencies of a cascade He-Ne laser generating simultaneously the three lines: 3.39, 2.39, and 1.15 μm. Reported is an experimental observation of coherent radiation with a wavelength of 0.63 μm arising in mixing of the three frequencies in a gas. The effective frequency transformation was performed at the nonlinear interaction of three fields resonant with coupled transitions in neon. Due to the resonance conditions an efficiency of the frequency transformation in a gas proved to be 8–10 orders higher than that in nonlinear optical crystals.     

Microwave dielectric tangent losses in KDP and DKDP crystals

By adding cubic and quartic phonon anharmonic interactions in the pseudospin lattice coupled mode (PLCM) model for KDP-type crystals and using double-time temperature dependent Green's function method, expressions for soft mode frequency, dielectric constant and dielectric tangent loss are obtained. Using model parameters given by Ganguliet al [9] the dielectric losses are calculated for KDP and DKDP crystals. In the microwave frequency range an increase in frequency (1–35 GHz) is followed by an increase in dielectric tangent loss (1–35) at 98 K and (1–15) × 10⁻² at 333 K for KDP and DKDP crystals respectively. The dielectric tangent loss decreases from 0.052 to 0.042 for KDP crystals with increase in temperature from 130 to 170 K and for DKDP crystals it decreases from 0.0166 to 0.0074 with an increase in temperature from 230–343 K in their paraelectric phases at 10 GHz. This shows Curie-Weiss behavior of the dielectric tangent loss     

Azimuthal dependence of the two-photon absorption coefficient for CdP2 crystals with tetragonal syngony

We studied the two-photon absorption coefficient (β) for cadmium diphosphide (CdP₂) single crystals in the tetragonal modification vs. the polarization azimuth (φ) of the incident light for intensities close to the optical breakdown (or optical damage) threshold for the crystal (11 MW/cm²). We have established that the value of β_max = 0.16 cm/MW is reached for φ = 0, i.e., for the ordinary wave. At the lasing frequency of a ruby laser, β_⊥/β_|| = 2.13, which suggests anisotropy of the two-photon absorption in the studied crystals. These dependences are needed for design and fabrication of quantum electronics and nonlinear optics elements whose operation is based on the use of the two-photon absorption effect for high radiation fluxes. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 76, No. 1, pp. 117–121, January–February, 2009.     

Specific features of waves in magnetic crystals

On the basis of the asymmetric velocity tensor introduced we develop an orthogonal representation of wave propagation in anisotropic magnetic dielectrics. Simple expressions are obtained for the direct dependence of polarization vectors, refractive indices, and phase and group velocities of isonormal waves in a magnetic dielectric on the vectors of principal velocities. We show that the presence of magnetic properties is manifested in the optical range in the fact that the velocities of wave propagation in uniaxial crystals are determined by three main refractive indices, and therefore, both waves except for specific directions become extraordinary, whereas in biaxial crystals (also because of a large number of parameters) the cones of internal and external refraction become elliptic. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 66, No. 5, pp. 597–600, September–October, 1999     

Investigation of the optical properties of AgGaTe2 films obtained by laser deposition

We obtain thin films of AgGaTe₂ by laser vaporization of starting crystals. The compositions of the starting crystals and of the films obtained are determined by x-ray spectral analysis, with their structure and the parameters of the crystal lattice being determined by the x-ray method. The energies of interband transitions and crystalline (Δ _cr ) and spin-orbit (Δ _so ) splitting are calculated from transmission spectra in the region of the main absorption band. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 64, No. 6, pp. 793–796, November–December, 1997.     

Dynamics of two-photon picosecond absorption in ZnWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and PbWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

A method has been proposed to analyze the dynamics of interband two-photon absorption in a nonlinear medium excited by a sequence of picosecond laser pulses of variable intensity and continuous probe radiation. Induced absorption leading both to hysteresis in the dependence of the absorption on the intensity of laser pump radiation and to the opacity of crystals at the pump wavelength has been revealed in initially transparent ZnWO₄ and PbWO₄ crystals irradiated by a train of 523.5-nm pulses with a duration of 20 ps at pump intensities of 5 to 140 GW/cm². The kinetics of an increase in absorption and its subsequent relaxation at a 523.5-nm picosecond excitation of the crystals have been measured with continuous 633-nm probe radiation. An exponential component of the increase in absorption with the time constant τ = 2−3.5 and 8–9.5 μs depending on the direction of the linear polarization of pump radiation has been revealed at 300 K in ZnWO₄ and PbWO₄ crystals, respectively. The absorption relaxation kinetics in the crystals are complicated and approach an exponential at a late stage with the constant τ = 40−130 and 12–80 ms for the ZnWO₄ and PbWO₄ crystals, respectively.     

Nonlinear voter models: the transition from invasion to coexistence

In nonlinear voter models the transitions between two states depend in a nonlinear manner on the frequencies of these states in the neighborhood. We investigate the role of these nonlinearities on the global outcome of the dynamics for a homogeneous network where each node is connected to m = 4 neighbors. The paper unfolds in two directions. We first develop a general stochastic framework for frequency dependent processes from which we derive the macroscopic dynamics for key variables, such as global frequencies and correlations. Explicit expressions for both the mean-field limit and the pair approximation are obtained. We then apply these equations to determine a phase diagram in the parameter space that distinguishes between different dynamic regimes. The pair approximation allows us to identify three regimes for nonlinear voter models: (i) complete invasion; (ii) random coexistence; and – most interestingly – (iii) correlated coexistence. These findings are contrasted with predictions from the mean-field phase diagram and are confirmed by extensive computer simulations of the microscopic dynamics.     

Nonlinear interaction of magnetoacoustic waves in yttrium orthoferrite

The phenomenon of energy transfer, both monotonic and oscillating, between the fundamental and higher harmonics of standing acoustic waves is observed during the laser generation of sound in YFeO₃ crystals. An analogous phenomenon for traveling light waves is well known in nonlinear optics. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 70, No. 12, 789–792 (25 December 1999)     

Photoelectric properties ofp-CuInSe2 thin films obtained by pulsed laser vaporization

Using the method of phase-sensitive detection, we investigated the photoconductivity spectra of polycrystalline p-CuInSe₂ films obtained in vacuum by the method of pulsed laser vaporization of initial single crystals. We show that, in contrast to single crystals, films are characterized by monopolar photoconductivity in the extrinsic and intrinsic regions of optical absorption and by a linear mechanism of recombination of nonequilibrium charge carriers at the intensities of illumination 0–100 mW/cm² in the temperature range 80–300 K. Institute of the Solid-State and Semiconductor Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 17, P. Brovka St., Minsk 220072, Belarus. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii. Vol. 66, No. 1, pp. 138–141, January–February, 1999.     

Nonclassical light generation in quasi-phase-matched parametric self-frequency conversion

We present a quantum theory of the parametric self-conversion of the laser radiation frequency in active nonlinear crystals with a regular domain structure. Such crystals feature simultaneous lasing and quasi-phase-matched parametric conversion of the laser radiation frequency. These processes are described using the Heisenberg-Langevin equations in two regimes of the subharmonic generation: super-and subthreshold. The spectral properties of the quadrature components of the laser frequency and its subharmonic and the photon statistics have been studied as dependent on the pump power, crystal length, and reflectance of the laser cavity output mirror. Using the obtained analytical expressions, these characteristics are calculated for a active nonlinear Nd:Mg:LiNbO₃ crystal with a regular domain structure. In the subthreshold regime, the maximum decrease in the spectral density of fluctuations in the subharmonic quadrature component relative to the standard quantum limit may reach 90%; in the above-threshold regime, these fluctuations are virtually not suppressed. A decrease in the spectral density of fluctuations of the laser frequency quadrature does not exceed 10%. In the subthreshold excitation regime, the subharmonic photons obey a super-Poisson statistics; in the above-threshold regime, the photon statistics is Poisson-like.     

Parametric generation of light in arbitrary directions of a biaxial KTP crystal pumped by an Nd:YAG laser

The conditions for collinear phase matching in the parametric generation of light in arbitrary directions of a biaxial KTP crystal pumped by an Nd:YAG laser were investigated with the use of invariant expressions for the refractive indices of isonormal waves. The tuning curves, effective nonlinear coefficients, spectral and angular phase-matching widths were calculated. B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, 68, F. Skorina Ave., Minsk, 220072. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 177–184, March–April, 1999.     

Optical properties of silver selenium indate films obtained by the method of pulse laser vaporization

The spectra of transmission and reflection are measured in the region of 0.4–2.5 μm on thin silver selenium indate films obtained by means of pulse laser vaporization. The magnitudes of the refractive index and absorption coefficient are calculated. The energies of interband transitions and the values of crystalline and spin-orbit splitting are determined. The experimental results for the AgInSe₂ films agree with the data for bulk crystals. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 4, pp. 512–514, July–August, 2000.     

Photoinduced optical activity of C<Subscript>70</Subscript> fullerene in organic solvents

We have experimentally studied for the first time the effect of photoinduced rotation of the plane of polarization for pulsed laser radiation in solutions of C₇₀ fullerene in organic solvents and their mixtures. We have shown that the effect is observed for elliptical polarization of the laser radiation and is absent for linear polarization. We present the results of a study of the nonlinear optical characteristics of the C₇₀ solutions. We discuss the physical mechanisms by which nonlinear gyrotropy is induced in solutions. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 76, No. 1, pp. 93–99, January–February, 2009.     

Twinning and “natural quasi-phase matching” in Yb:YAB

Defects obtained during crystal growth of many laser and nonlinear crystals limit their commercial potential, as is the case of the yttrium aluminium borate family. Typically, in Yb:YAB, birefringent phase-matching is used to obtain self frequency doubled output from a fundamental laser operating near 1 μm. Many crystals however show signs of twin inversion defects during crystal growth resulting in the reversal of the sign of the nonlinear coefficient and hence can result in quasi-phase-matched-like structures. In this report we examine the second harmonic conversion characteristics of a 3.8 mm thick birefringently phase matched Yb:YAB crystal which is then examined in more detail by slicing into four thinner sections each approximately 400 μm thick. Etching of crystal surfaces reveals clear boundaries between reversed domains, which under illumination with a laser at 1.064 μm shows a cancellation of the nonlinear conversion along the interface of the two regions. PACS 42.55.-f; 42.65.Ky; 42.70.Mp     

Nonlinear energy absorption of femtosecond laser pulses in noble metals

We use calorimetry to determine the energy absorption of femtosecond (fs) laser pulses as a function of incident fluence for Ag, Ag alloys (Ag–Cu and Ag–Pt), and Pt. At low fluences, the measured absorption agrees well with reflectivity data derived from ellipsometry measurements. For Ag and Ag–Cu, the absorbed energy increases nonlinearly with the incident fluence for fluences larger than approximately half of the melting threshold. Near this threshold, the absorption increases by a factor of 3–4. Similar nonlinear absorption is not observed in Pt or Ag–Pt. We propose that the nonlinear absorption is caused by the excitation of d-band electrons below the Fermi surface. For pulse widths longer than 850 fs, the observed nonlinear absorption in Ag diminishes, indicating that diffusive transport and not ballistic transport is the major mechanism of cooling at this excitation level.     

Photonic flame effect

We observed a new effect which we called the photonic flame effect (PFE). Several three-dimensional photonic crystals (synthetic opals) were posed on a Cu plate at the temperature of liquid nitrogen (77 K). The typical distance between the crystals was 1–5 cm. A long-continued optical luminescence was excited in one of the crystals by the ruby laser pulse. A visible luminescence appeared in the other crystals (not illuminated by the laser pulse), with a time delay with respect to the luminescence in the first crystal (illuminated by the laser pulse) being observed. We examined synthetic opal crystals and those filled with nonlinear liquids.     

Two-photon absorption of high-power picosecond pulses in PbWO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, ZnWO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, PbMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and CaMoO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

The nonlinear process of two-photon interband absorption is studied in tungstate and molybdate oxide crystals excited by a sequence of high-power picosecond pulses with a wavelength of 523.5 nm. The transmission of the crystals is measured for the excitation pulse intensity up to 100 GW/cm². The pulse intensity in the crystals initially transparent at a wavelength of 523.5 nm is strongly limited due to two-photon absorption (TPA), and the reciprocal transmission in PbWO₄ and ZnWO₄ crystals reaches 50–60. In all crystals, TPA induces long-lived one-photon absorption, which affects the nonlinear process dynamics and leads to a hysteresis in the dependence of the transmission on the laser excitation intensity. Absorption dichroism manifests itself in a significant difference in the transmission intensities when the principal orthogonal optical axes of the crystals are excited. The TPA coefficients are determined during the excitation of two optical axes of the crystals. TPA coefficients β for the crystals vary over a wide range, namely, from β = 2.4 cm/GW for PbMoO₄ to β = 0.14 cm/GW for CaMoO₄, and the values of β can differ almost threefold when different optical axes of a crystal are excited. Good agreement is achieved between the measured intensities limited by TPA and the estimates calculated from the measured nonlinear coefficients. Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) upon excitation at a wavelength of 523.5 nm is only detected in two of the four crystals under study. The experimental results make it possible to explain the suppression of SRS by its competition with TPA, and the measured nonlinear coefficients are used to estimate this suppression.