The Elements of Nonlinear Optics

This book is a self-contained account of the most important principles of nonlinear optics. Assuming a familiarity with basic mathematics, the fundamentals of nonlinear optics are developed from the basic concepts, introducing and explaining the essential quantum mechanical apparatus as it arises. Later chapters deal with the materials used and the constructions that are necessary to induce the effects.

There has recently been a rapid growth of activity in nonlinear optics. Effects such as frequency doubling, stimulated Raman scattering, phase conjugation and solitons are of great interest both for their fundamental properties and their many important applications in science and engineering. It is mainly these applications - especially in telecommunications and information processing - that have stimulated the recent surge of activity. This book is a self contained account of the most important principles of nonlinear optics. Assuming only a familiarity with basic mathematics, the fundamentals of nonlinear optics are fully developed from basic concepts. The essential quantum mechanical apparatus is introduced and explained. In later chapters the underlying ideas are illustrated by discussing particular experimental configurations and materials. This book will be an invaluable introduction to the field for beginning graduates in physics or engineering, and will provide an excellent overview and reference work for active researchers in the field.

Introduction; 1. The constitutive relation; 2. Review of quantum mechanics; 3. The susceptibility tensors; 4. Symmetry properties; 5. Resonant nonlinearities; 6. Wave propagation and processes in nonlinear media; 7. Dynamic optical nonlinearities in semiconductors; 8. The optical properties of artificial materials; Bibliography; Index.