Nonlinear Optics With Structured Light

This book reflects the latest advances in nonlinear optics. Besides the simple, strict mathematical deduction, it also discusses the experimental verification and possible future applications, such as the all-optical switches. It consistently uses the practical unit system throughout. It employs simple physical images, such as "light waves" and "photons" to systematically explain the main principles of nonlinear optical effects. It uses the first-order nonlinear wave equation in frequency domain under the condition of “slowly varying amplitude approximation" and the classical model of the interaction between the light and electric dipole. At the same time, it also uses the rate equations based on the energy-level transition of particle systems excited by photons and the energy and momentum conservation principles to explain the nonlinear optical phenomenon. The book is intended for researchers, engineers and graduate students in the field of optics, optoelectronics, fiber communication, information technology and materials etc.

The optical trapping of colloidal matter is an unequalled field of technology for enabling precise handling of particles on microscopic scales, solely by the force of light. Although the basic concept of optical tweezers, which are based on a single laser beam, has matured and found a vast number of exciting applications, in particular in the life sciences, there are strong demands for more sophisticated approaches. This thesis gives an introductory overview of existing optical micromanipulation techniques and reviews the state-of-the-art of the emerging field of structured light fields and their applications in optical trapping, micromanipulation, and organisation. The author presents established, and introduces novel concepts for the holographic and non-holographic shaping of a light field. A special emphasis of the work is the demonstration of advanced applications of the thus created structured light fields in optical micromanipulation, utilising various geometries and unconventional light propagation properties. While most of the concepts developed are demonstrated with artificial microscopic reference particles, the work concludes with a comprehensive demonstration of optical control and alignment of bacterial cells, and hierarchical supramolecular organisation utilising dedicated nanocontainer particles.

Nonlinear optics has been a rapidly growing field in recent decades. It is based on the study of effects and phenomena related to the interaction of intense coherent light radiation with matter. Physics of Nonlinear Optics describes various major nonlinear optical effects, including physical principles, experimental techniques, up-to-date research achievements, and current or potential applications. This book features clear conceptual descriptions, concise formulations, and emphasizes both theoretical and experimental aspects of nonlinear optics. The readability of this book is particularly enhanced by a series of color photographs showing the spectacular appearances of various nonlinear optical effects. Both authors of this book are outstanding research scientists renowned in their professional areas. Their major research achievements in nonlinear optics include the pioneering studies of two-wave-coupled refractive-index change, Raman-enhanced self-focusing, optical-frequency Pockels effect, stimulated Kerr scattering, optical phase-conjugation via backward stimulated emission, and two-photon-absorption based optical limiting, stabilization and reshaping.

Nonlinear Optics is an advanced textbook for courses dealing with nonlinear optics, quantum electronics, laser physics, contemporary and quantum optics, and electrooptics. Its pedagogical emphasis is on fundamentals rather than particular, transitory applications. As a result, this textbook will have lasting appeal to a wide audience of electrical engineering, physics, and optics students, as well as those in related fields such as materials science and chemistry. Key Features * The origin of optical nonlinearities, including dependence on the polarization of light * A detailed treatment of the quantum theory of the nonlinear susceptibility * An explication of dressed-atomic states of two-level atoms * A complete development of spontaneous and stimulated light scattering * A clear discussion of the photorefractive effect * An introduction to applications including laser frequency modification, optical phase conjugation, optical bistability, and propagation of optical soliton

Explores the Fundamental Aspects of Nonlinear OpticsAs nonlinear optics further develops as a field of research in electromagnetic wave propagation, its state-of-the-art technologies will continue to strongly impact real-world applications in a variety of fields useful to the practicing scientist and engineer. From basic principles to examples of a

Current literature on Nonlinear Optics varies widely in terms of content, style, and coverage of specific topics, relative emphasis of areas and the depth of treatment. While most of these books are excellent resources for the researchers, there is a strong need for books appropriate for presenting the subject at the undergraduate or postgraduate levels in Universities. The need for such a book to serve as a textbook at the level of the bachelors and masters courses was felt by the authors while teaching courses on nonlinear optics to students of both science and engineering during the past two decades. This book has emerged from an attempt to address the requirement of presenting the subject at college level. A one-semester course covering the essentials can effectively be designed based on this.

Examining classic theories, experimental methods, and practical formulas for exploration of the core topics in nonlinear optics, the second edition of this acclaimed text was extensively revised to reflect recent advances in the analysis and modification of material properties for application in frequency conversion, optical switching and limiting,