Nonlinear Optics of Free Atoms and Molecules

Laser physics and nonlinear optics are fields which have been intimately con nected from their beginning. Nonlinear optical effects such as second-har monic generation fulfil vital functions in many laser systems. Conversely advances in laser development quickly lead to progress in nonlinear optics. Of particular importance has been the development of tunable visible and uv lasers. With the ability to tune the laser frequency into close resonance with atomic transition frequencies, one can produce a large resonance en hancement of the nonlinearity. This permits the observation of a great var iety of nonlinear optical processes in dilute media such as atomic vapours. In recent years much of the research effort in nonlinear optics has been directed towards the use of such media, and it is this area which forms the subject of the present book. We review a wide range of nonlinear optical processes in atomic vapours, molecular gases and cryogenic liquids. At the same time we have tried to treat the subject in sufficient depth to be useful to research workers in the field. To achieve this, a measure of selectivity has been introduced by emphasising those nonlinear processes which are seen to have applications as sources of tunable coherent radiation. Thus we have not discussed in any detail those nonlinear processes whose main applications are in spec troscopy, such as Doppler-free two-photon absorption.

List of contents

1. Introduction.- 2. Theory of the Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility.- 3. Propagation of Plane Waves in a Nonlinear Medium.- 4. Sum Frequency and Harmonic Generation.- 5. Stimulated Electronic Raman Scattering.- 6. Raman-Resonant Four-Wave Processes.- 7. Nonlinear Optical Processes in Free Molecules.- 8. Some Miscellaneous Topics.- Appendix: Units for Non-Linear Optical Susceptibilities.- Universal Constants.- List of Major Symbols and Acronyms.- References.

Product details

• Authors: D Cotter, D. Cotter, D Hanna, D C Hanna, D. C. Hanna, M Yuratich, M A Yuratich, M. A. Yuratich
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 22.04.2014
• EAN: 9783662134931
• ISBN: 978-3-662-13493-1
• No. of pages: 354
• Weight: 513 g
• Illustrations: IX, 354 p. 4 illus.
• Series: Springer Series in Optical Sciences; Springer Series in Optical Sciences
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Astronomy; Astronomie, Kosmologie, Optik, Astrophysik, Mondlandung, Kosmologie und das Universum, Theoretische und mathematische Astronomie, Optische Physik, Raumfahrt - Raumschiff - Raumstation, Astronautik, Physik / Astrophysik, SCIENCE / Astronomy, Atom; Molekül; Nichtlineare Optik; SCP22006 - Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology; SCP22030 - Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Sciences; SUCO11651 - Physics and Astronomy