Efficient collinear third-harmonic generation in a single two-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal

We propose novel multi-phase-matched process that starts with generation of a pair of symmetric second-harmonic waves. Each of them interacts again with the fundamental wave to produce two constructively interfering third harmonic waves collinear to the fundamental input wave.Comment: Summary of presentation at the IQEC/LAT-2002 conferenc

Monitoring ultrashort pulses by transverse frequency doubling of counterpropagating pulses in random media

The authors study experimentally the transverse second-harmonic generation of counterpropagating pulses by a quasi-phase-matching in a medium with a random ferroelectric domain structure. The authors show that this parametric process results in a direct realization of the cross correlation of two optical signals and, therefore, it can be employed for direct characterizations of ultrashort pulses including their temporal structure and pulse front tilt.The authors acknowledge the support of the Australian Research Council

Multistep cascading and fourth-harmonic generation

We apply the concept of multistep cascading to the problem of fourth-harmonic generation in a single quadratic crystal. We analyze a new model of parametric wave mixing and describe its stationary solutions for two- and three-color plane waves and spatial solitons. Some applications to the optical frequency division as well as the realization of the double-phase-matching processes in engineered QPM structures with phase reversal sequences are also discussed.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure

Generation of Bessel beams by parametric frequency doubling in annular nonlinear periodic structures

We analyze the second-harmonic generation in two-dimensional photonic structures with radially periodic domains created by poling of a nonlinear quadratic crystal. We demonstrate that the parametric conversion of the Gaussian fundamental beam propagating along the axis of the annular structure leads to the axial emission of the second-harmonic field in the form of the radially polarized first-order Bessel beam

Detection of slow atoms confined in a Cesium vapor cell by spatially separated pump and probe laser beams

proceedings of 17th International School on Quantum Electronics: Laser Physics and Applications, neesebar, bulgaria Sept 2012 edited by Tanja Dreischuh, Albena DaskalovaInternational audienceThe velocity distribution of atoms in a thermal gas is usually described through a Maxwell-Boltzman distribution of energy, and assumes isotropy. As a consequence, the probability for an atom to leave the surface under an azimuth angle θ should evolve as cos θ, in spite of the fact that there is no microscopic basis to justify such a law. The contribution of atoms moving at a grazing incidence towards or from the surface, i.e. atoms with a small normal velocity, here called "slow" atoms, reveals essential in the development of spectroscopic methods probing a dilute atomic vapor in the vicinity of a surface, enabling a sub-Doppler resolution under a normal incidence irradiation. The probability for such "slow" atoms may be reduced by surface roughness and atom-surface interaction. Here, we describe a method to observe and to count these slow atoms relying on a mechanical discrimination, through spatially separated pump and probe beams. We also report on our experimental progresses toward such a goal

Spatial Optical Solitons due to Multistep Cascading

We introduce a novel class of parametric optical solitons supported simultaneously by two second-order nonlinear cascading processes, second-harmonic generation and sum-frequency mixing. We obtain, analytically and numerically, the solutions for three-wave spatial solitons and show that the presence of an additional cascading mechanism can change dramatically the properties and stability of two-wave quadratic solitary waves.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Generation of the second-harmonic Bessel beams via nonlinear Bragg diffraction

We generate conical second-harmonic radiation by transverse excitation of a two-dimensional annular periodically-poled nonlinear photonic structure with a fundamental Gaussian beam. We show that these conical waves are the far-field images of the Bessel beams generated in a crystal by parametric frequency conversion assisted by nonlinear Bragg diffraction.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures. submitte

Energy exchange between two orthogonally polarized waves by cascading of two quasi-phase-matched quadratic processes

We demonstrate energy exchange between two orthogonally polarized optical waves as a consequence of a two-color multistep parametric interaction. The energy exchange results from cascading of two quasi-phase-matched (QPM) second-harmonic parametric processes, and it is intrinsically instantaneous. The effect is observed when both the type-I (ooe) second-harmonic generation process and higher QPM order type-0 (eee) second-harmonic generation processes are phase-matched simultaneously in a congruent periodically-poled lithium niobate crystal. The two second-harmonic generation processes share a common secondharmonic wave which couple the two cross-polarized fundamental components and facilitate an energy flow between them. We demonstrate a good agreement between the experimental data and the results of numerical simulations

A Tabulation and Critical Analysis of the Wavelength-Dependent Dielectric Image Coefficient for the Interaction Exerted by a Surface onto a Neighbouring Excited Atom

The near-field interaction of an atom with a dielectric surface is inversely proportional to the cube to the distance to the surface, and its coupling strength depends on a dielectric image coefficient. This coefficient, simply given in a pure electrostatic approach by (eps-1) / (eps+1) with eps the permittivity, is specific to the frequency of each of the various relevant atomic transition : it depends in a complex manner from the bulk material properties, and can exhibit resonances connected to the surface polariton modes. We list here the surface resonances for about a hundred of optical windows whose bulk properties are currently tabulated. The study concentrates on the infrared domain because it is the most relevant for atom-surface interaction. Aside from this tabulation, we discuss simple hints to estimate the position of surface resonances, and how uncertainties in the bulk data for the material dramatically affect the predictions for the image coefficient. We also evaluate the contribution of UV resonances of the material to the non resonant part of the image coefficient.Comment: submitted (Jan. 23, 2006) to Optics Communication

Spatiotemporal toroidal waves from the transverse second-harmonic generation

We study the second-harmonic generation via transversely matched interaction of two counterpropagating ultrashort pulses in X⁽²⁾ photonic structures. We show that the emitted second-harmonic wave attains the form of spatially expanding toroid with the initial thickness given by the cross correlation of the pulses. We demonstrate the formation of such toroidal waves in crystals with random ferroelectric domains as well as in annularly poled nonlinear photonic structures.This work was supported by the Australian Research Council and the Israeli Science Foundation (grant 960/05)