The real-time information processing and manipulation of electromagnetic waves using nonlinear Qptical techniques has resulted in a myriad of new applications in diverse fields such as quantum electronics, image processing, optical computing, adaptive optics, and nonlinear spectroscopy. In this paper, we review and explore the field, provide a historical perspective, analyze several of the nonlinear interactions useful for the generation of phase-conjugate replicas, and conclude with a brief survey of potential applications and suitable nonlinear media.

Nonlinear Optical Phase Conjugation

The real-time information processing and manipulation of electromagnetic waves using nonlinear optical techniques has resulted in a myriad of new insights and applications in diverse fields such as quantum electronics, real-time adaptive optics, image processing and optical computing. The field has also motivated basic study in such areas as nonlinear laser spectroscopy, coherent and quantum optical phenomena, and in essence, has unified many classes of nonlinear optical interactions, occurring in most natural and synthesized states of matter. In this chapter, we review and explore the field, provide a historical perspective, analyze several of the nonlinear interactions useful for the generation of phase-conjugate replicas, and conclude with a brief survey of potential applications and suitable nonlinear media.

4 – Nonlinear Optical Phase Conjugation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development and progress of stimulated scattering studies over the past four to five decades. The chapter focuses on the principles (mechanisms or models), basic experimental features, and technical applications of various stimulated scattering effects and related processes. Stimulated scattering is a very broad research subject. The key issues of the impulsive stimulated (Brillouin, Raman, and thermal) scattering studies are focused on the dynamic responses of short (or ultrashort) laser pulse-induced phonon fields. In a similar manner, studies of stimulated scattering in plasmas are mainly aimed at exploring opto-physical properties of the plasma medium. Other stimulated scattering-related issues, such as the CARS effect is a Raman-enhanced four wave frequency-mixing (FWFM) process, which requires phase-matching condition and can only occur in the forward direction.

Chapter 4 Stimulated Scattering Effects of Intense Coherent Light

A series of experiments in which the efficiency and fidelity of SBS (stimulated Brillouin scattering) wavefront reconstruction are measured as a function of the temporal coherence, focusing geometry, and power of the laser source is described. The primary motivation of the research is to assess the potential of SBS as the basis of a high-resolution image protection system. Thus, a series of high-resolution image projection experiments using a SBS mirror is also described. It is shown that provided that the coherent length of the laser is longer than the active focal region primarily responsible for the growth of the SBS wave, high SBS reflectivities can be obtained which are independent of the Rayleigh range of the focusing system used. In addition, wavefront reconstruction fidelities having values approaching unity can be observed when using laser powers near the threshold for the SBS process. >

Stimulated Brillouin scattering of a KrF laser

In this paper, we give review of our work on the holographic image reconstruction of the volume object, illuminated by giant laser pulses of nano- and picosecond duration, and of its Fourier spectrum which has been observed experimentally in Raman, Brillouin, and Rayleigh stimulated scatterings. Image reconstruction laws have been investigated. Wavefront conjugation with transformation, obeying holography principles, has been shown to take place at the backward SRS. A physical model of the phenomenon is given. The diffraction efficiency of dynamic holograms in the stimulated scatterings has been measured. The possibility of the light beams spatial structure conversion at the stimulated scatterings has been experimentally shown.

Wavefront reconstruction (conjugation) by stimulated scatterings: A review

Wave-front reconstruction (conjugation) by stimulated scattering has been shown experimentally to occur in the presence of two processes: (1) a directed scattered wave forming in the volume near the focus of a lens; (2) stimulated scattering amplification and diffraction from the amplifying amplitude hologram near the entrance window of the cell. Stimulated scattering saturation in the volume, playing the role of a dynamic hologram, leads to the breakdown of the reconstruction (conjugation) effect. The diffraction efficiency of the dynamic holograms for stimulated scattering has been measured. The influence of self-focusing on wave-front reconstruction (conjugation) by stimulated scattering is discussed.

G. L. Brekhovskikh

Papers

Real-time holography and wave-front conjugation by stimulated scattering