Nonlinear optical characterization in a degenerate multi-wave mixing configuration

Using a 4-f imaging system for nonlinear optical measurements we deal with multi-wave mixing experiments. The complex degenerate four-wave mixing experimental setup is simplified in order to characterize nonlinear materials. Moreover, a generalization of the I-scan method is studied by considering one, two, three and four waves mixing experiments. The determination of the cubic optical nonlinearity is possible by providing quadratic relations that relate the nonlinear phase shift to the measured signal. The sensitivities of the measurements are compared systematically showing the same order of magnitude for all the studied configurations. Experimental and simulated images are presented here to validate our approach.

[1]  J. Goodman Introduction to Fourier optics , 1969 .

[2]  B. Boulard,et al.  Improvement of Mach-Zehnder interferometry technique for third-order susceptibility measurement , 2001 .

[3]  Mansoor Sheik-Bahae,et al.  Eclipsing Z-scan measurement of λ/10 4 wave-front distortion , 1994 .

[4]  S. Friberg,et al.  Nonlinear optical glasses for ultrafast optical switches , 1987 .

[5]  Georges Boudebs,et al.  Third-order susceptibility measurement by a new Mach–Zehnder interferometry technique , 2001 .

[6]  J. A. Hermann,et al.  Beam propagation and optical power limiting with nonlinear media , 1984 .

[7]  André Monteil,et al.  Contrast increasing by third-order nonlinear image processing: a numerical study for microscopic rectangular objects , 1998 .

[8]  Georges Boudebs,et al.  Nonlinear optical measurements using a 4 f coherent imaging system with phase objects , 2004 .

[9]  Robert L. Carman,et al.  Interferometric Measurements of the Nonlinear Refractive-Index Coefficient Relative to CS, in Laser-System-Related Materials , 1975 .

[10]  Johann Troles,et al.  Nonlinear optical properties of chalcogenide glasses: comparison between Mach–Zehnder interferometry and Z-scan techniques , 2001 .

[11]  E. W. Stryland,et al.  Sensitive Measurement of Optical Nonlinearities Using a Single Beam Special 30th Anniversary Feature , 1990 .

[12]  André Monteil,et al.  4f coherent imager system and its application to nonlinear optical measurements , 2004 .

[13]  R. W. Terhune,et al.  Intensity-Dependent Changes in the Refractive Index of Liquids , 1964 .

[14]  Lloyd L. Chase,et al.  Nonlinear refractive-index measurements of glasses using three-wave frequency mixing , 1987 .

[15]  C. C. Wang,et al.  Nonlinear optics. , 1966, Applied optics.

[16]  G. Boudebs,et al.  Erratum: “Degenerate multi-wave mixing using Z-scan technique” [Appl. Phys. Lett. 93, 021118 (2008)] , 2008 .

[17]  Huimin Liu,et al.  Intensity scan and two photon absorption and nonlinear refraction of C60 in toluene , 1996 .

[18]  G. Boudebs,et al.  Sensitivity of the 4f coherent imaging system used in degenerate multiwave mixing experiments , 2009 .