Nonlinear optics utilizing composite optical material architectures for providing enhanced nonlinear susceptibility

摘要

Nonlinear optical systems are provided which exhibit an enhanced nonlinear response to applied optical radiation. These systems are useful for processing radiation by nonlinear optical interactions, for example harmonic generation, mixing (sum and difference frequency generation), parametric oscillation, intensity dependent refractive index effects (focusing or lens formation) and perform various photonic functions (electro-optics). The systems utilize a materials system with an architecture in which inclusion components are distributed in a host component (preferably homogeneously). The host component has an optical response which varies nonlinearly with the amplitude of the optical field produced by the radiation applied to the composite material. The inclusion component is preferably particles which are less than a wavelength of the applied radiation in maximum dimension (diameter when the particles are spherical and length of major axis when the particles are generally ellipsoidal). Neighboring particles are also preferably separated by the less than a wavelength. These dimensions and separation of the particles reduce scattering effects. The particles may respond only linearly to the intensity of the radiation, but preferably have a nonlinear response. Even where the particles are nonabsorbing, because of the nonlinear response of the host, the system possesses a nonlinear susceptibility larger than any of its components. Such enhanced susceptibility increases the efficiency of nonlinear optical interactions and improves the performance of nonlinear optical systems such as those mentioned above.