Nonlinear refraction and absorption: mechanisms and magnitudes

    Authors

    D. N. Christodoulides; I. C. Khoo; G. J. Salamo; G. I. Stegeman;E. W. Van Stryland

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Adv. Opt. Photonics

    Keywords

    Optics

    Abstract

    We provide an in-depth treatment of the various mechanisms by which an incident light beam can produce an intensity- or flux-dependent change in the refractive index and absorption coefficient of different materials. Whenever possible, the mechanisms are initially traced to single-atom and -molecule effects in order to provide physical understanding. Representative values are given for the various mechanisms. Nine different mechanisms are discussed, starting with the Kerr effect due to atoms and/or molecules with discrete states, including organic materials such as molecules and conjugated polymers. Simplified two and/or three-level models provide useful information, and these are summarized, The nonlinear optics of semiconductors is reviewed for both bulk and quantum-confined semiconductors, focusing on the most common types II-VI and III-V. Also discussed in some detail are the different nonlinear mechanisms that occur in liquid crystals and photorefractive media. Additional nonlinear material systems and mechanisms such as glasses, molecular reorientation of single molecules, the electrostrictive effect, the nuclear effect (vibrational contributions), cascading, and the ever-present thermal effects are quantified, and representative tables of values are given. (C) 2010 Optical Society of America

    Journal Title

    Advances in Optics and Photonics

    Volume

    2

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    60

    Last Page

    200

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000208844300002

    ISSN

    1943-8206

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