PHY 437: Non-linear Optics

3 credits | Prerequisites: PHY 103, PHY 302, PHY 307, MAT 203, MAT 225

Course rationale

This is one of the courses offered by the university which is mandatory for students who wish to major in Physics. The course forms a one-year standard course in Non-Linear Optics. Prerequisites for this course are PHY 103, PHY 302, PHY 307 and MAT 203, MAT 225. It is highly recommended that the students must have a fair amount of background in vector analysis, EM-wave theory, atomic and molecular physics, basic laser physics, and solid-state theory. Especially, knowledge of Calculus of Several Variables will be required sometimes

Course content

The Non-linear Optical Susceptibility: Introduction to Non-linear Optics; Description of non-linear optical
interactions; Formal definition of non-linear susceptibility; Non-linear susceptibility of a classical harmonic oscillator. Wave-Equation Description of Non-linear Optical Interactions: The wave equation for non-linear optical media; the coupled wave-equations for sum-frequency generation; The Manley-Rowe relations; Sum frequency generation; Difference-frequency generation and parametric amplification; Second-harmonic generation; Phase-matching considerations. Intensity Dependent Refractive Index: Description of the intensity-dependent refractive index; Non-linearities due to molecular orientation. Process Resulting from the Intensity Dependent Refractive Index: Optical phase conjugation; Self-focusing of light; The Electrooptic and Photorefractive Effects: Optical biostability; Two-beam coupling; Pulse propagation and optical solitons. The Electro-optic and Photo-refractive Effects: Introduction to the electro-optic effect; Linear electro-optic effect.

Course objectives

  1. Familiarize and demonstrate a detailed physical and mathematical understanding of a variety of systems and processes in a range of advanced topics in physics
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the close relationship between scientific research and the development of new knowledge in a global context.
  3. Demonstrate specialized analytical skills and techniques necessary to carry out advanced calculations in a range of advanced topics in physics.
  4. Identify and solve new problems in a range of advanced topics in physics.
  5. Identify and be able to formulate a physically reasonable and complicated problem in nonlinear optics and provide an extended solution to the same

References

  1. Non-linear optics: Boyd; R.W.: Academic Press: 3rd edition.
  2. The Elements of Non-linear Optics: Butcher; P.N. and Cotter; D.: Cambridge University Press:
  3. The Principles of Non-linear Optics: Shen; Y.R.: Wiley-Interscience: 1st edition.
  4. Non-linear Optics: Newell; A.C. and Moloney; J.V.: Addison Wesley Publishing Co: 2nd edition.
  5. Modern Optics: Guenther; R.: W. H. Freeman and Company: 3rd edition.
  6. Non-linear Optics: Bloembergen; N.: North-Holland Publishing Co: 2nd edition.
  7. An Introduction to Non-linear Optics: Baldwin; G.C.: Springer: 2nd edition.