Nonlinear Optics
D.L.Mills Nonlinear Optics Basic Concepts With 32 Figures Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York London Paris Tokyo HongKong Barcelona Budapest
Professor D. L. Mills, Ph.D. Department ofphysics University ofcalifomia Irvine, CA 92717, USA ISBN 978-3-662-00215-5 ISBN 978-3-662-00213-1 (ebook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-662-00213-1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data. MilIs, D.L. Nonlinear optics: basic concepts/d.l.milis. p. cm. Inc1udes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 3-540-54192-6 (alk. paper) - ISBN 0-387-54192-6 (U-S.: alk. paper) 1. Nonlinear optics. 1. Title QC446.2.M55 1991 535.2-dc20 9l-31420 CIP This work is subject to copyright. AlI rights are reserved, whether the whole or part ofthe material is concemed, specifica1ly the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of iliustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in other ways, and storage in data banks. Duplication ofthis reproduction or parts thereofis only permitted under the provisions ofthe German Copyright Law ofseptember 9,1965, in its current version, and a copyright fee must always be paid. Violations fali under the prosecution act of the German Copyright Law. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1991 Softcover reprint ofthe hardcover Ist edition 1991 The use ofregistered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Typesetting: Edwards Bros. Inc., Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA 54/3140-5 4 3 2 1 O - Printed on acid-free paper
Preface One intriguing aspect of physics is its dynamic and rapidly evolving nature; exciting new fields can become moribund within relatively few years, only to revive and grow again in a dramatic and expolisve manner in response to new developments. This has been the case for the fields of optics and atomic physics. In the 1950s, and perhaps into the early 1960s, both fields appeared mature, fully developed, and perhaps even a bit dull as a consequence. The appearance of the laser has tumed both of these fields into dynamic areas of research, within which fundamental and profound questions are being explored. The research of the past two or three decades has led also to very important applications and to new devices. The dye laser, which enables a very narrow line to be tuned over an appreciable spectral range, has led to a virtual revolution in the spectroscopy of atoms, molecules, and the condensed phases of matter. A parallel development, readily detectable in the recent literature of theoretical physics, has been the substantial advance in OUf understanding of highly nonlinear phenomena. Numerous texts are devoted to exposition of the theoretical methods which may be used to extract useful information from the important equations encountered in the various fields of physics. A survey of the contemporary literature of nonlinear optics shows that in this area one encounters a large fraction of the basic equations and principles of nonlinear physics. For example, analysis of selfinduced transparency leads to the sine-gordon equation, and that of soliton propagation in optical fibers to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Other examples can be found as welt As a consequence, one has in hand real data which illustrate basic properties ofthose solutions ofthese important equations with no counterpart in linear response theory or in perturbation theoretic analyses of nonlinear terms. Other concepts central to nonlinear optics, such as the role of phase matching in various wave mixing experiments, are of very considerable importance in other subfields of physics. The field of nonlinear optics is thus a superb laboratory within which the student may encounter and explore key notions of nonlinear physics of general importance, while at the same time leaming the foundations of a most important and fundamental area of contemporary physics. Furthermore, the above issues are not addressed in many introductory graduate courses in electromagnetic theory; the emphasis is usually
VI Preface placed on more classical topics developed in an earlier era. This volume has its origin in a course given at Irvine by the author, directed toward the student who has completed the first year electromagnetic theory sequence. It is intended as an extension of interest not only to students who wish to pursue thesis research in optics or laser spectroscopy copy but also to the general student whose ultimate research specialty may lie within a very different subfield. The focus is then on general principles, with many technical points that are important to the specialist played down or set aside. It is the author's experience that existing texts on nonlinear optics use specialized terms that are not defm~d fully and present introductions to important basic issues that are perhaps too concise to be grasped easily by the general reader. The purpose of this volume is to bridge the gap between the classic texts on electromagnetic theory, which omit systematic exploration of modern optics, and the (often excellent!) specialized texts full of discussion essential to those who are pursuing research in the area, but which are too detailed and too terse for the general student of physics. The specialist may thus fmd important topics omitted from this volume, or discussions of a number of technical points a bit incomplete. The intention here is to provide an overview; the literature on nonlinear optics is sufficiently complete and accessible that those who wish to pursue particular aspects in more detail can proceed further without difficulty. It is important also for the reader to acquire an understanding ofthe optical properties of various solid materials, to appreciate the reasons for the choice of sampies for a given experiment, and the constraints that limit one's ability to explore various phenomena. Also, one must acquire a certain vocabulary in this arena to understand the literature. Chapter 2, which is quite lengthy, presents an overview ofthe optical properties of materials, since it is the experience of the author that many students have a very limited grasp of this area, though they may know the mathematical details associated with various models of matter. It is hoped that this volume will broaden the horizons of graduate students in the physical sciences, by introducing them to the fascinating field of nonlinear optics, and at the same time provide them with an introduction to general aspects of the physics of nonlinear systems. Irvine, CA March 1991 D.L.Mills
Contents 1. Introductory Remarks... 1 Problems... 6 2. Linear Dieleetrie Response of Matter... 7 2.1 Frequeney Dependenee of the Dieleetric Tensor.......... 11 2.2 Wave Veetor Dependenee of the Dielectrie Tensor....... 27 2.3 Electromagnetie Waves in Anisotropie Dieleetrics......... 30 Problems.................................................... 33 3. Nonlinear Dielectrie Response of Matter.................. 37 3.1 Frequeney Variation of the Nonlinear Suseeptibilities..... 39 3.2 Wave Veetor Dependenee of the Nonlinear Suseeptibilities.......................... 45 3.3 Remarks on the Order of Magnitude of the Nonlinear Susceptibilities......................... 47 Problems.................................................... 49 4. Basie Principles of Nonlinear Wave Interaetions: Seeond "Harmonie Generation and Four Wave Mixing........ 51 4.1 Perturbation Theoretie Analysis of Seeond Harmonie Generation......................... 51 4.2 Methods of Aehieving the Phase Matching Condition... 57 4.3 Evolution of the Seeond Harmonie Wave under Phase Matehed Conditions... 59 4.4 Other Examples of Nonlinear Wave Interaetions.......... 63 4.4.1 Four Wave Mixing Speetroseopy... 63 4.4.2 Optical Phase Conjugation.......................... 69 Problems... 71 5. Inelastie Scattering of Light from Matter: Stimulated Raman and Brillouin Scattering.................. 73 5.1 Quantum Theory of Raman Scattering................... 77 5.2 Stimulated Raman Effeet... 82 5.3 Contribution to Four Wave Mixing from the Raman Nonlinearity... 84
VIII Contents 5.4 Brillouin Scattering of Light.............................. 87 Problems... 91 6.Interaction of Atoms with Nearly Resonant Fields: Self-Induced Transparency... 93 6.1 Description of the Wave Function under Near Resonant Conditions......................... 94 6.2 Bloch Equations: Power Broadening and Saturation Effects in Absorption Spectra... 101 6.3 Self-Induced Transparency... 107 6.4 Area Theorem........................................... 112 6.5 Sine-Gordon Equation................................... 114 Problems.................................................... 117 7. Self-Interaction Effects in One-Dimensional Wave Propagation: Solitons in Optical Fibers and in Periodic Stmctures................................... 119 7.1 Normal Modes of Optica1 Fibers... 121 7.2 Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation... 128 7.3 Linear Theory of Pulse Propagation in a Dispersive Medium: Application to Optica1 Fibers.... 132 7.4 Solitons and the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation... 135 7.5 Gap Solitons in Nonlinear Periodic Structures... 139 Problems.................................................... 153 8. Chaos....................................................... 155 8.1 Duffmg Oscillator: Transition to Chaos... 156 8.2 Routes to Chaos......................................... 161 8.3 Experimental Observations of Chaos in Optica1 Systems.. 162 Problems.................................................... 165 Appendix A: Skucture of the Wave Vector and Frequency Dependent Dielectric Tensor... 167 Appendix B: Aspects of the Sine-Gordon Equation... 175 References..................................................... 179 Subject Index.................................................. 183