25 CHAPTER

Non-Linear Optics

25.1. INTRODUCTION At a Glance

radiation at many
coherent region Introduction
asers generate meter wavelength Momes
wavelengths rangingfromHowever, it is not possible Wave Propagation and
L
to producelight
region.
to thesoftx-rays wavelengths ofinterest in spite
coveringall
activematerials are
available
tum Conservation

Linear Medium
large number of becomes, therefore,
of thefact thata them. It > Nonlinear Polarization
built using
and lasers can be frequency of light generated
by
HarmonicGeneration
necessary to transform the frequency. Nonlinear optical media > Second
lasers into light of desired Phase Matching
frequencies that were not available, through
help us generate sum DifferenceFrequeny
frequency conversion techniques. Harmonic generation,
parametric Sum and
generation and Generation
and difference frequency nonlinear processes ParametricOscillation
Oscillations are some of the important Stimulated
transformations.
utilized in laser light frequency is used Self-FocussingofLight
Raman scattering is another important process that second > Stimulated RamanScatering
in generating new wavelengths. The processes such as
armonic generation, sum and difference frequency
conversion, parametric oscillation are associated witn
passive media, i.e., media that do not make evident thel
Own characteristicfrequencies. Stimulated Raman scattering
arises in active media that impose their characteristic
frequencies on the light wave. In this chapter we acqu
ourselves with the methods of
 25.5. SECOND HARMONIC GENERATION
In case of anisotropic crystals equ. (25.7) may be rewritten as,
P=e,lx,E+ XE) (25.12)

=P+ Pni
are linear polarization and noninear polarization components respectívely.
where P. and P,
25.2 shows the response of the nonlinear medium, in which a symmetrical electric field
Eig polarization shows thatit consistsof
polarization. Fourier analysis of the
produces an asymmetrical well as a d.c. component. Let us consider a plane
frequencies V and 2v as
components having
frequency v, travelling at the velocityv, ina nonlinear medium. The
monochromatic light wave of
the form,
electric field of the wave may be of
sin" [2 rv (t -x,)]
E= E, sin [27cv (t -x /)] + XEo 1 (25.13)
1
Eo cos [[ 4rv( - )]
= E, sin [ 2rrv (1 -x ,) + ¬X, 2
coresponds to a Wave of polarizationpropagating
in 4v which magnitude
Eq. (25.13) containsa term speed oflight wave with twice higher frequency. Thevalues ofE
Same direction and at thesame magnitude of the first term x,E, at high
ofthe term in 4 nv {=2 v)) approachesthe
= 2(2 T v)} wave may cause emission of a new light wave.
this polarization can generate a new
Jtmeunder certain conditions. nonlinear medium
light of frequency vpropagating in a the phenomenon isknown as second
ightwasurong a second harmonicand hence the second harmonic wave
at frequency 2v. Itis incident wave
generates
the crystal, it
harmonic generation. At some
and at that point the two
initial
waves are
point
coherent.
the
Astheincident wave
propagates
waves combine
through
constructively only if they
waves, All these
satContisfyinuesthe phase matching condition (25.14).
to generate second harmonic
harmonic
 of Optics
704 A Textbook
P P

P=x,E+ X,E

First harmonic
E
0 F

Second harmonic

dc Po

Fourier analysis of the asymmetrical polarization wave into fundamental,

second harmonic and d.c. components
Fig. 25.2

The input wave of frequency v is normally called the pump wave. The ratio of the intensity
of the generated second harmonic wave to that of the pump wave is dependent on the phase
factor, Ak, which is given by mistia
Ak = k(2v) 2k (v) = 2v [u (2v) - u()]
n order to obtain an intense second harmonic wave, which is directed like the pump laser
beam,one has to achieve the condition Ak = 0. This
implies that (25.14)
(2v) = ( ) indeX matching
Equ.(25.14) is known as the phase matching condition. It is also known1:as
condition.
orthogonal
This of double
condition is satisfied only when the pump and generated waves area uniaxial
polarization. Therefore, the process of second harmonic generation requiresshapeof arectangular
refracting crystal exhibiting high nonlinear X. It must be cutin
the beplane
susceptibility
parallelepiped with the axis along the direction of
light must
incidentsection
phase matching. Theprincipal ofthecrystal.
polarized,
When these
with the plane of
polarization 2
frequencywith
perpendicular to the plane of; another wave ofcoincides
which is the conditions
second
are satisfied, a wave of frequency v produces
the second harmonicperpendicularto
that of the harmonic. The direction of propagation of
second harmonic will bej
fundamental
that of the wave. The
fundamental wave (see plane of
polarization of
Fig. 25.6 also).
 Chapter : 25: Non-Linear Optics 705

V V
AAAA

Laser
ooo
ooo 2v 2v

C,
Arrangement for second harmonic generation
Fig. 25.3

used material for second harmonic generation is KDP which is a negative double
A commonly wave,
fundamental light is alinearly polarized ordinarycase
crystal.In negativeecrystals, if the is the situation in of
refracting
second harmonic will be an extraordinary wave. The reverse resulting
theresulting If the fundamental light is a linearly polarized extraordinary wave, the
crystals.
positive will be an ordinary wave.
secondharmonic generation may also be --A
The second harmonic According
from the standpoint of photonconcept.fundamental
described two photons ofthe produce an
picture (see Fig. 25.4), V
othis energy hv combine to 2v
frequency V, each having levels located at hV and 2 hv are
energy
energy of2hv. The shown by dashed lines,as
they B ---
known as virtual levels and
and as such are not
of the material
are not allowed states photons of frequency v are
populated. In this process, two
frequency 2v is simultaneously
destroyed and one photon of
created. Second harmonic generation
demonstrated
generation was first
Second harmonic 1961. They focused a 3kW Fig. 25.4
co-workers in
by Franken and his and
) onto aquartz crystal
Tuby laser pulse (2 = 6943 output at a wavelength of the
oained a very low intensity extending the range of laser wavelengths into
Second
generation helps in naturally occurring laser
lines.
H/1.5A. Second harmonic not rich in
spectrum, which are with visible and IR
lasers.
dUV part of the in market for use
harmonic generators are now available
25.6. PHASE MATCHING waves and the electric field of the
electromagnetic the medium
It was noted earlier that light waves are propagate. The polarization response of
waves polarizes the medium tthrough which they direction of the externally applied electric
inthe polarization
Consists t electric dipoles
in the orientation of the the array of dipoles produces produced.
Rield. As the electric field in the incident wave oscillates, higher frequencies also will be
Wave. For polarization waves of particular frequency occurs, let us
lo higher
beam intensities, enhancement of a
the condition under which the this case, the polarization wave
propagates atthe
understand
ake the generation. In
case of second harmonic propagates V, in the medium. The velocities
are

vBveeloncby,itythe second harmonic at the velocity

 Textbook of Optics
706 A

and
(2v)
the generated wave differs from that of the
25154)
The velocity v, of
function of the frequency. Efficient transfer of
refractive index is aharmonic requires that the two waves must
ienergy (25.15%)the
ncidentfromwave,u, because
be matched the
wavetothe second
that the waves should experience identical refractive in
velocity. It requires equ.(25.15) it follows that
polarizaijon
indicesmomein ntum, that js
Thus, from the set of the
() =u(2v) medium
the same asthe phase matching condition or
The above condition is
(25.14). index-matching condi(2516)tion
Ordinary
AP
wave

OA =H (0) P,
OB =, (0)

Extraordinary
wave
(a) (b)
(a) Index ellipsoid and sphere corresponding to a e-ray and o-ray in a negative uniaxial crystal.
(b) Index matching in a negative crystal.
Fig. 25.5

This-condition is not satisfied in general cases. It is satisfied only in anisotropic crystals

into tvo
known as uniaxial crystals. When a light ray is incident on a uniaxial crystal, it splits upindex of an
(e-ray). The refractive
rays, namely, an ordinary ray (o-ray) and an extra ordinary ray index surface is asphere in case of
e-ray depends upon the direction of propagation. The refractive
index surfaces in case of anegative
0-ray and an ellipsoid in case of e-ray. The two refractive
uniaxial crystal are shown in Fig. 25.5(a).
Fig. 25.5(b) shows the refractive index
surfaces for the frequency v and for the
frequency 2 v. It is seen that the refractive
index surface of the o-ray with frequency
vand that of the e-ray with frequency 2v
intersect; one of the points of intersection
is at point P. At the point of intersection
the velocities D, and v, are equal. It is
obvious that the phase-matching condition
issatisfied for light waves propagating in
the direction PQ. Thus,the direction PQ is crysto
the direction ofphase- matching. Along PQ. niobate
birefringentlithium
Uniaxial
H,(v) =4,(2v) (25.17)
 Chapter : 25 : Non-Linear Optics 707
25.6.1. ANGLETUNING FOR PHASE
There are two methods for MATCHING
known as angle tuning and achieving phase matching in double refracting
with the angle between the temperature tuning. The refractive index of crystals. They are
extraordinary ray u, varies
direction of propagation and the optic axis. The variation is given by
cos 0 sin²A2
H, (0) =
(25.18)

20, He

Ordinary Extraordinary
optic ray
ray axis
Phase matching using angle tuning
Fig. 25.6

By rotating crystal in the plane of the optic axis and the incident beam (Fig.25.6). it is
the matching condition (25.16).
possible to select the value of H that will satisfy the phase
25.8. PARAMETRIC OSCILLATION
The production of coherent radiation at frequencies in the UV region is very much esseniol
Anart from the technique of the harmonic generation, tuning of frequency by parametric oscillation
is anothertechnique available for this purpose. The method of parametric excitation of oscillations
is widely used in electronics, where use of nonlinear capacitors is made. The parametric generation
of light involves use of nonlinear medium and thus bears close similarity with the electronie
process.
In sum frequency generation, light at frequencies v, and v, add together to produce the
frequency (v, +v,). On the other hand, if astrong beam at frequency v, =(v, +v) alone is applicd
to a suitable nonlinear material such as lithium niobate, two
beams at lower frequencies v, and v, can be generated. For --A
exciting parametric oscillations, the nonlinear medium is placed
between two mirrors, which form a resonant cavity comparable Signal
to alaser cavity. The wave of frequency v,= (V, t v) is the Pump V
pump wave and it should be highly intense such that it can induce V
nonlinear behaviour of the crystal. Secondly the process requires
that the phase-matching condition be satisfied. The wave of 8
Idler
higher frequency, say V, is called the signal wave and the lower
Irequency wave, say at v,, is called the idler wave. Both the
Signal and idler waves are weak and alwayss present in the crystal Optical parametric Oscillation
in the form of noise, which arisesdue to
If the pump spontaneous photons. Fig.25.8
frequency (V,+v) isfixed, thenthe twofrequencies
Vy and V, are free to spread over a wide range of
values. This
 Chapter: 25 : Non-Linear Optics 709
parametric amplification. By varying the orientation of the crystal, the values of
is known
as the resonant cavity are reflective at v, and v,, and not at the
efiect varied. If the mirrors of
canbe in the nonlinear
andv, resonance of these waves in the cavity enhancesthe interaction be
frequency(V,
, +V), waves. Thus the system acts as a parametric oscillator. Tuning can
andbuilds up the through mechanical or temperature control of
crystal
varyingthe phase-matching conditions
achievedby
thecavity, Lithium
Lithium IRFilter niobate
niobate crystal
crystal

=529 nm =529 nm Tuned output

Lightfrom
a neodymium and 1.06 um
laser Temperature
=1.06 um controlled
Oven

oscillation in anonlinear
medium
for observing parametric
A typical arrangement Fig. 25.9
schematic
Giordmaine and Miller in 1965. The
observed by temperature
Parametricoscillation was first The outputwas tuned by changing the
isshown in Fig. 25.9. wavelengths in the range
of the set upused by them temperature range of about 11°C produced
conversion efficiency is
lithium niobatecrystal. A 1%. Currently,
of the
I1540 Å. The conyersion efficiency was low as
9680 Åto
50%.
improved from 40% to
LIGHT
25.9. SELF-FOCUSSING OF
When a light beam of very high
medium,
mtensity passes through an optical alters
an internal force will result. It in turn F
Nonlinear
tie density, changes permittivity and there by medium
lhe refractive index. If the beam has a
Gaussian cross-section, the intensityrodwould
and
De the greatest on the axis of the Intensity,
tence the index of refraction would be greater profile
on the axis than off the axis. These induced Self-focussing
Tefractive cause the
index variations will illustrated Fig. 25.10
medium
in
to function as a lens, as
Fig. 25.10. Consequently. the beam beam.
Contracts and results in the process known as self-focussing of the