3 ECTS Credits — Semester 1 — (part of a) Major, or Elective
Nonlinear optics is a branch of optics that studies the interaction of intense laser light with matter. Unlike linear optics, where the response of a material to light is proportional to the intensity of the light, nonlinear optics explores phenomena where the response is not directly proportional to the intensity.
In nonlinear optics, the properties of the material change in response to the intense light, leading to effects such as frequency doubling, harmonic generation, and parametric amplification. These effects are used in various applications including laser frequency conversion, optical switching, and the generation of coherent light at new frequencies.
Understanding nonlinear optics is crucial for the development of advanced optical technologies and has implications in fields such as telecommunications, laser science, and quantum computing.
Syllabus
- Introduction to nonlinear optics
- Classical model of nonlinear optics
- Susceptibilities and nonlinear properties of tensors
- Wave-equation description of nonlinear optical interactions
- Three-waves mixing — second order susceptibility
- Second-harmonic generation: phase matching
- Second-harmonic generation: quasi-phase matching
- Quasi-phase matching by nonlinear crystals
- Third-order nonlinear optics
- Nonlinear photonic crystals and applications of nonlinear optics
Suggested bibliography
- Boyd, R., Nonlinear Optics, Academic Press
Prerequisites
- Optical physics and electromagnetism, lasers (Physics Bachelor’s level).