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Light-induced nonreciprocity, field invariants, and nonlinear eigenpolarizations
1School of Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
Optics Letters
|September 1, 2009
Summary
Nonlinear nonreciprocity in laser beams depends on their polarization arrangement and anisotropic material properties. This effect can be used to develop a new spectroscopy technique for studying nonlinear optical materials.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Quantum optics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Nonlinear nonreciprocity arises from the interaction of counterpropagating laser beams with materials.
- The magnitude of this nonreciprocity is linked to the material's anisotropic nonlinear third-order susceptibility, causing light-induced birefringence and gyrotropy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between nonlinear nonreciprocity and the polarization states of counterpropagating laser beams.
- To explore the potential of using this phenomenon for developing a novel spectroscopic method.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of nonlinear wave equations.
- Investigation of invariants to identify mutual polarization eigenarrangements.
- Exploration of the sensitivity of nonreciprocity to polarization configurations.
Main Results:
- The magnitude of self-induced nonlinear nonreciprocity is directly related to the anisotropic properties of the nonlinear third-order susceptibility.
- The phenomenon is sensitive to the relative polarization states of the counterpropagating beams.
- Mutual polarization eigenarrangements with distinct eigennonreciprocities are predicted.
Conclusions:
- Nonlinear nonreciprocity is a sensitive probe of anisotropic nonlinear optical properties.
- A new spectroscopic technique, nonreciprocal spectroscopy, can be developed based on this effect to characterize nonlinear susceptibility.
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