Related Experiment Videos
Conical harmonic generation in isotropic materials
K D Moll1, D Homoelle, Alexander L Gaeta
1School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|April 17, 2002
Summary
Researchers discovered a new nonlinear optical process for generating nth harmonic radiation using (2n+1)-order nonlinearity. This method enables odd- and even-harmonic generation and amplification in isotropic materials, simplifying phase matching in normal-dispersion media.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear Optics
- Quantum Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Harmonic generation typically relies on specific material properties and phase-matching techniques.
- Existing methods often struggle with generating even-order harmonics or require complex phase-matching conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel class of nonlinear optical processes for harmonic generation.
- To demonstrate the generation and amplification of both odd- and even-order harmonics.
- To enable efficient phase matching in normal-dispersion materials without birefringence.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a (2n+1)-order nonlinearity for nth harmonic generation.
- Employing isotropic materials to allow for both odd- and even-harmonic generation.
- Investigating phase-matching conditions in normal-dispersion materials.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a new nonlinear optical process for generating nth harmonic radiation.
- Achieved generation and amplification of odd- and even-order harmonics.
- Confirmed phase matching is possible in normal-dispersion materials without birefringence.
- Experimentally generated conical third-harmonic emission from sapphire.
Conclusions:
- The novel (2n+1)-order nonlinearity offers a versatile route for harmonic generation.
- This process simplifies harmonic generation, particularly for even orders, in isotropic media.
- The ability to phase match in normal-dispersion materials without birefringence is a significant advancement.