Year: 1984
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Nonlinear optics deals with induced polarizations which are not proportional to the input fields. This topic includes the spontaneous scattering of light waves by elementary excitations such as sound waves, plasma waves, heat waves, molecular vibrations (the Raman effect), spin waves, and a host of others; such spontaneous scatterings do not rely on the brightness of the probe light source, and therefore many of these topics were understood well before the invention of the laser. The laser did herald a new age, however. Now materials can be exposed to optical intensities exceeding a 10/sup 15/ Watts per square centimeter, with pulse durations ranging from femtoseconds (10/sup -15/ seconds) to several hours. Additionally, the spectral bandwidths of the exciting light can be made exceedingly narrow and exceedingly directional. Some applications of nonlinear optics are briefly discussed.
Author: Robert A. Fisher
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1588528686