- •Preface
- •Contents
- •1.1 Fundamentals of the semiclassical laser theory
- •1.1.1 The laser oscillator
- •1.1.2.2 Homogeneous, isotropic, linear dielectrics
- •1.1.2.2.1 The plane wave
- •1.1.2.2.2 The spherical wave
- •1.1.2.2.3 The slowly varying envelope (SVE) approximation
- •1.1.2.3 Propagation in doped media
- •1.1.3 Interaction with two-level systems
- •1.1.3.1 The two-level system
- •1.1.3.2 The dipole approximation
- •1.1.3.2.1 Inversion density and polarization
- •1.1.3.3.1 Decay time T1 of the upper level (energy relaxation)
- •1.1.3.3.1.1 Spontaneous emission
- •1.1.3.3.1.2 Interaction with the host material
- •1.1.3.3.1.3 Pumping process
- •1.1.3.3.2 Decay time T2 of the polarization (entropy relaxation)
- •1.1.4 Steady-state solutions
- •1.1.4.1 Inversion density and polarization
- •1.1.4.2 Small-signal solutions
- •1.1.4.3 Strong-signal solutions
- •1.1.5 Adiabatic equations
- •1.1.5.1 Rate equations
- •1.1.5.2 Thermodynamic considerations
- •1.1.5.3 Pumping schemes and complete rate equations
- •1.1.5.3.1 The three-level system
- •1.1.5.3.2 The four-level system
- •1.1.5.5 Rate equations for steady-state laser oscillators
- •1.1.6 Line shape and line broadening
- •1.1.6.1 Normalized shape functions
- •1.1.6.1.1 Lorentzian line shape
- •1.1.6.1.2 Gaussian line shape
- •1.1.6.1.3 Normalization of line shapes
- •1.1.6.2 Mechanisms of line broadening
- •1.1.6.2.1 Spontaneous emission
- •1.1.6.2.2 Doppler broadening
- •1.1.6.2.3 Collision or pressure broadening
- •1.1.6.2.4 Saturation broadening
- •1.1.6.3 Types of broadening
- •1.1.6.3.1 Homogeneous broadening
- •1.1.6.3.2 Inhomogeneous broadening
- •1.1.6.4 Time constants
- •1.1.7 Coherent interaction
- •1.1.7.1 The Feynman representation of interaction
- •1.1.7.3 Propagation of resonant coherent pulses
- •1.1.7.3.2 Superradiance
- •1.1.8 Notations
- •References for 1.1
- •2.1.1 Introduction
- •2.1.3 Radiometric standards
- •2.1.3.1 Primary standards
- •2.1.3.2 Secondary standards
- •References for 2.1
- •2.2 Beam characterization
- •2.2.1 Introduction
- •2.2.2 The Wigner distribution
- •2.2.3 The second-order moments of the Wigner distribution
- •2.2.4 The second-order moments and related physical properties
- •2.2.4.3 Phase paraboloid and twist
- •2.2.4.4 Invariants
- •2.2.4.5 Propagation of beam widths and beam propagation ratios
- •2.2.5.1 Stigmatic beams
- •2.2.5.2 Simple astigmatic beams
- •2.2.5.3 General astigmatic beams
- •2.2.5.4 Pseudo-symmetric beams
- •2.2.5.5 Intrinsic astigmatism and beam conversion
- •2.2.6 Measurement procedures
- •2.2.7 Beam positional stability
- •References for 2.2
- •3 Linear optics
- •3.1 Linear optics
- •3.1.1 Wave equations
- •3.1.2 Polarization
- •3.1.3 Solutions of the wave equation in free space
- •3.1.3.1 Wave equation
- •3.1.3.1.1 Monochromatic plane wave
- •3.1.3.1.2 Cylindrical vector wave
- •3.1.3.1.3 Spherical vector wave
- •3.1.3.2 Helmholtz equation
- •3.1.3.2.1 Plane wave
- •3.1.3.2.2 Cylindrical wave
- •3.1.3.2.3 Spherical wave
- •3.1.3.2.4.2 Real Bessel beams
- •3.1.3.2.4.3 Vectorial Bessel beams
- •3.1.3.3 Solutions of the slowly varying envelope equation
- •3.1.3.3.1 Gauss-Hermite beams (rectangular symmetry)
- •3.1.3.3.2 Gauss-Laguerre beams (circular symmetry)
- •3.1.3.3.3 Cross-sectional shapes of the Gaussian modes
- •3.1.4.4.2 Circular aperture with radius a
- •3.1.4.4.2.1 Applications
- •3.1.4.4.3 Gratings
- •3.1.5 Optical materials
- •3.1.5.1 Dielectric media
- •3.1.5.2 Optical glasses
- •3.1.5.3 Dispersion characteristics for short-pulse propagation
- •3.1.5.4 Optics of metals and semiconductors
- •3.1.5.6 Special cases of refraction
- •3.1.5.6.2 Variation of the angle of incidence
- •3.1.5.7 Crystal optics
- •3.1.5.7.2 Birefringence (example: uniaxial crystals)
- •3.1.5.8 Photonic crystals
- •3.1.5.9 Negative-refractive-index materials
- •3.1.5.10 References to data of linear optics
- •3.1.6 Geometrical optics
- •3.1.6.1 Gaussian imaging (paraxial range)
- •3.1.6.1.1 Single spherical interface
- •3.1.6.1.2 Imaging with a thick lens
- •3.1.6.2.1 Simple interfaces and optical elements with rotational symmetry
- •3.1.6.2.2 Non-symmetrical optical systems
- •3.1.6.2.3 Properties of a system
- •3.1.6.2.4 General parabolic systems without rotational symmetry
- •3.1.6.2.5 General astigmatic system
- •3.1.6.2.6 Symplectic optical system
- •3.1.6.2.7 Misalignments
- •3.1.6.3 Lens aberrations
- •3.1.7 Beam propagation in optical systems
- •3.1.7.2.1 Stigmatic and simple astigmatic beams
- •3.1.7.2.1.1 Fundamental Mode
- •3.1.7.2.1.2 Higher-order Hermite-Gaussian beams in simple astigmatic beams
- •3.1.7.2.2 General astigmatic beam
- •3.1.7.3 Waist transformation
- •3.1.7.3.1 General system (fundamental mode)
- •3.1.7.3.2 Thin lens (fundamental mode)
- •3.1.7.4 Collins integral
- •3.1.7.4.1 Two-dimensional propagation
- •3.1.7.4.2 Three-dimensional propagation
- •3.1.7.5 Gaussian beams in optical systems with stops, aberrations, and waveguide coupling
- •3.1.7.5.1 Field distributions in the waist region of Gaussian beams including stops and wave aberrations by optical system
- •3.1.7.5.2 Mode matching for beam coupling into waveguides
- •3.1.7.5.3 Free-space coupling of Gaussian modes
- •References for 3.1
- •4.1 Frequency conversion in crystals
- •4.1.1 Introduction
- •4.1.1.1 Symbols and abbreviations
- •4.1.1.1.1 Symbols
- •4.1.1.1.2 Abbreviations
- •4.1.1.1.3 Crystals
- •4.1.1.2 Historical layout
- •4.1.2 Fundamentals
- •4.1.2.1 Three-wave interactions
- •4.1.2.2 Uniaxial crystals
- •4.1.2.3 Biaxial crystals
- •4.1.2.5.1 General approach
- •4.1.3 Selection of data
- •4.1.5 Sum frequency generation
- •4.1.7 Optical parametric oscillation
- •4.1.8 Picosecond continuum generation
- •References for 4.1
- •4.2 Frequency conversion in gases and liquids
- •4.2.1 Fundamentals of nonlinear optics in gases and liquids
- •4.2.1.1 Linear and nonlinear susceptibilities
- •4.2.1.2 Third-order nonlinear susceptibilities
- •4.2.1.3 Fundamental equations of nonlinear optics
- •4.2.1.4 Small-signal limit
- •4.2.1.5 Phase-matching condition
- •4.2.2 Frequency conversion in gases
- •4.2.2.1 Metal-vapor inert gas mixtures
- •4.2.2.3 Mixtures of gaseous media
- •References for 4.2
- •4.3 Stimulated scattering
- •4.3.1 Introduction
- •4.3.1.1 Spontaneous scattering processes
- •4.3.1.2 Relationship between stimulated Stokes scattering and spontaneous scattering
- •4.3.2 General properties of stimulated scattering
- •4.3.2.1 Exponential gain by stimulated Stokes scattering
- •4.3.2.2 Experimental observation
- •4.3.2.2.1 Generator setup
- •4.3.2.2.2 Oscillator setup
- •4.3.2.3 Four-wave interactions
- •4.3.2.3.1 Third-order nonlinear susceptibility
- •4.3.2.3.3 Higher-order Stokes and anti-Stokes emission
- •4.3.2.4 Transient stimulated scattering
- •4.3.3 Individual scattering processes
- •4.3.3.1 Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS)
- •4.3.3.2 Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated thermal Brillouin scattering (STBS)
- •4.3.3.3 Stimulated Rayleigh scattering processes, SRLS, STRS, and SRWS
- •References for 4.3
- •4.4 Phase conjugation
- •4.4.1 Introduction
- •4.4.2 Basic mathematical description
- •4.4.3 Phase conjugation by degenerate four-wave mixing
- •4.4.4 Self-pumped phase conjugation
- •4.4.5 Applications of SBS phase conjugation
- •4.4.6 Photorefraction
- •References for 4.4
Ref. p. 232] |
4.3 Stimulated scattering |
221 |
|
|
|
through the medium. As a result the laser intensity requirements are lowered. The scattering angle is controlled by the cavity axis, so that o -axis emission is possible relative to the laser beam. The frequency-dependent feedback and the lower intensity level of the setup can be su cient to select a specific stimulated scattering process. Among di erent Raman transitions only the one with largest gain factor g shows up in SRS in general.
4.3.2.2.3 Stimulated amplification setup
Two well defined beams representing the laser component and the incident Stokes radiation are directed into the scattering medium. Scattering angle and mechanism are determined by the direction and frequency shift of the incident Stokes beam. A second tunable laser is used for the latter in general. The pump intensity IL is smaller by one or more orders of magnitude compared to the generator case, so that self-focusing and other competing e ects including secondary scattering processes can be avoided. Quantitative information on the amplitude and/or frequency dependence of the gain factor g(νS) may be deduced from careful measurements of the amplification factor.
An example for the technique is Raman gain spectroscopy that is often applied in the lowintensity limit g IL z 1 . An alternative is Raman loss spectroscopy of the transmitted laser component, since the production of Stokes photons corresponds to the annihilation of the same number of laser photons.
4.3.2.3 Four-wave interactions
4.3.2.3.1 Third-order nonlinear susceptibility
Stimulated Stokes scattering can be treated as a four-photon (or four-wave) interaction involving the third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3)(−ωS; ωL, −ωL, ωS) . The interaction is illustrated by the energy level scheme of Fig. 4.3.2b. The two waves are resonantly coupled via a di erence frequency resonance, ωL − ωS = ωo, to the relevant material excitation. The latter is enhanced by the scattering thus increasing the coupling strength. The photons at frequencies ωL and ωS enter the process twice (see Fig. 4.3.2a). Stimulated amplification is provided in the resonant case by the imaginary part χ3 of χ(3), while the real part leads to frequency modulation. The gain factor is related to the imaginary part by:
g |χ3 |2 . |
(4.3.7) |
Outside di erence frequency resonances the real part of χ(3) is also important for stimulated amplification. The general case of stimulated 4-photon amplification is treated in [79Pen]. The (fourth-rank) tensor character of χ(3) is omitted here for brevity considering only parallel polarization of the light field components.
The corresponding wave-vector diagram is shown in the lower part of Fig. 4.3.2b. The general case with o -axis geometry is considered. The scattering couples to a material excitation with wave vector ko. The e ective scattering angle is strongly influenced by interaction-length arguments. Because of the maximum interaction length, geometries with approximate forward and backward scattering are most important. In cases where the corresponding frequency shift ωo vanishes, e.g. SBS, stimulated scattering exactly in forward direction is not possible. For backward scattering of short pulses, e.g. SRS of a picosecond laser, the interaction length may be governed by the duration tp (FWHM of intensity envelope) of the incident laser pulse setting an upper limit of= tp/2 vg (vg : group velocity). In forward direction a less stringent limitation is set by group velocity dispersion between laser and Stokes pulses, = tp ∆(1/vg) . As a result SRS of picosecond pulses preferentially occurs in forward direction.
Landolt-B¨ornstein
New Series VIII/1A1