Nonlinear Optics

Course description:
Nonlinear optical susceptibilities. General description of wave propagation in nonlinear media. Frequency doubling and mixing. Optical parametric generation, amplification and oscillation. Characterisation of second order nonlinear optical materials. Nonlinear index of refraction. Optical properties of selected third order NLO materials. Nonlinear absorption. Experimental techniques in nonlinear absorption. Optical damage of materials. Problems of ultrabroadband (femtosecond) laser pulses. Measurement of ultrashort pulses by using nonlinear optics.

Recommended Texts:

• Shen Y. R.: The principles of nonlinear optics, Wiley, New York, 1984
• Sutherland R. L.: Handbook of nonlinear optics, Dekker, NY 1996
• Hopf F. A., Stegerman G. I.: Applied classical electrodynamics, Wiley, NY 1985