Fundamentals of Nonlinear Optics encompasses a broad spectrum of nonlinear phenomena from second-harmonic generation to soliton formation. The wide use of nonlinear optical phenomena in laboratories and commercial devices requires familiarity with the underlying physics as well as practical device considerations. This text adopts a combined approach to analyze the complimentary aspects of nonlinear optics, enabling a fundamental understanding of both a given effect and practical device applications. After a review chapter on linear phenomena important to nonlinear optics, the book tackles nonlinear phenomena with a look at the technologically important processes of second-harmonic generation, sum-frequency and difference-frequency generation, and the electro-optic effect. The author covers these processes in considerable detail at both theoretical and practical levels as the formalisms developed for these effects carry to subsequent topics, such as four-wave mixing, self-phase modulation, Raman scattering, Brillouin scattering, and soliton formation. Consistently connecting theory, process, effects, and applications, this introductory text encourages students to master key concepts and to solve nonlinear optics problems—preparing them for more advanced study. Along with extensive problems at the end of each chapter, it presents general algorithms accessible to any scientific graphical and programming package. Watch the author speak about the book.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Historical Background Unifying Themes Overview of Nonlinear Effects Covered in this Book Labeling Conventions and Terminology Units Linear Optics Introduction Tensor Properties of Materials Wave Equation Determining e-Waves and o-Waves in Crystals Index Ellipsoid Applications Introduction to the Nonlinear Susceptibility Introduction Classical Origin of the Nonlinearity Details of the Nonlinear Susceptibility, χ(2) Connection between Crystal Symmetry and the d-Matrix Electro-Optic Effect Three-Wave Processes in the Small-Signal Regime Introduction to the Wave Equation for Three Fields Birefringent Phase Matching Tuning Curves and Phase-Matching Tolerances Taylor Series Expansion Techniques for Determining Bandwidth Noncollinear Phase Matching Quasi-Phase Matching Introduction to Quasi-Phase Matching Linear and Nonlinear Material Considerations QPM with Periodic Structures QPM Calculation: An Example Fourier Transform Treatment of QPM Tolerances Fabricating Quasi-Phase-Matched Structures Three-Wave Mixing beyond the Small-Signal Limit Introduction DFG with a Single Strong Pump DFG with Strong Pump and Loss Solutions for All Three Coupled Amplitude Equations Spontaneous Parametric Scattering (Optical Parametric Generation) χ(2) Devices Introduction Optimizing Device Performance: Focusing Resonator Devices χ(3) Processes Introduction Nonlinear Polarization for χ(3) Processes Wave Equation for χ(3) Interactions Self-Induced Effects Parametric Amplifiers Noncollinear Processes Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing Z -Scan Raman and Brillouin Scattering Introduction Spontaneous Raman Scattering Stimulated Raman Scattering Anti-Stokes Generation Raman Amplifiers Photoacoustic Effects: Raman–Nath Diffraction Brillouin Scattering Nonlinear Optics Including Diffraction and Dispersion Introduction Spatial Effects Temporal Effects Solutions to the Nonlinear Envelope Equation Appendix A: Complex Notation Appendix B: Sellmeier Equations Appendix C: Programming Techniques Appendix D: Exact Solutions to the Coupled Amplitude Equations Index Problems, References, and Further Reading appear at the end of most chapters.