David M. Pepper

Amplified reflection, phase conjugation, and oscillation in degenerate four-wave mixing

A number of new optical effects that result from degenerate four-wave mixing in transparent optical media are proposed and analyzed. The applications are relevant to time-reversed (phase-conjugated) propagation as well as to a new mode of parametric oscillation.

Compensation for channel dispersion by nonlinear optical phase conjugation

It is proposed that the process of nonlinear optical phase conjugation can be utilized to compensate for channel dispersion and hence to correct for temporal pulse broadening. Specifically, a four-wave nonlinear interaction is shown to achieve pulse renarrowing. Spectral bandwidth constraints of the input pulse are presented for typical phase-conjugate interaction parameters.

Nonlinear Optical Phase Conjugation

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.

A theoretical and experimental investigation of the modes of optical resonators with phase-conjugate mirrors

We present an analysis of resonator properties for a cavity bounded by a phase conjugate mirror, which is generated by a degenerate four-wave nonlinear optical interaction. Using a ray matrix formalism to describe the conjugate mirror, resonator stability conditions are derived. Longitudinal and transverse mode characteristics are discussed. Results are compared with an experiment where laser oscillation was observed at 6943 Å using carbon disulfide as the nonlinear interacting medium comprising the phase conjugate mirror.

Spatial convolution and correlation of optical fields via degenerate four-wave mixing

A nonlinear optical technique is described that performs, essentially instantaneously, the functions of spatial correlation and convolution of spatially encoded waves. These real-time operations are accomplished by mixing spatially dependent optical fields in the Fourier-transform plane of a lens system. The use of a degenerate four-wave mixing scheme eliminates (in the Fresnel approximation) phase-matching restrictions and (optical) frequency-scaling factors. Spatial bandwidth-gain considerations and numerical examples, as well as applications to nonlinear microscopy, are presented.

Observation of amplified phase‐conjugate reflection and optical parametric oscillation by degenerate four‐wave mixing in a transparent medium

We report on the observation of amplified reflection and optical parametric oscillation via degenerate four‐wave mixing in a nonresonant medium. The process is mediated through the third‐order nonlinear susceptibility in a transparent liquid medium, CS2. A collinear mixing geometry is utilized to obtain long interaction lengths and polarization discrimination is used to separate the pump and signal fields.

Narrow optical bandpass filter via nearly degenerate four-wave mixing

It is shown that a nearly degenerate four-wave mixing process is capable of yielding a real-time optical bandpass filter. The filter has a large field of view and is capable of providing an amplified bandpass. Moreover, the conjugate nature of the output field can be utilized to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the device. For a 1-cm interaction length in a nondispersive medium, the optical bandpass at 5000 A can be varied from ~9 GHz down to the linewidth of the exciting laser.

Image phase compensation and real-time holography by four-wave mixing in optical fibers

It is proposed that real-time holography can be performed inside multimode fibers (or optical waveguides) using four-wave optical mixing. Of particular interest is the generation of complex-conjugate replicas of input fields for image transmission and compensation of propagation distortion. A theoretical analysis and a numerical estimate are presented.

Q‐switched ruby laser alloying of Ohmic contacts on gallium arsenide epilayers

Ohmic contacts of AuGe have been produced on GaAs epilayers by laser alloying. The contacts possess morphological and electrical properties which are superior to those formed by conventional alloying.

Continuous backward-wave generation by degenerate four-wave mixing in optical fibers

We report on the observation of cw backward-wave generation using degenerate four-wave mixing in a nonresonant medium. The interaction took place inside a 3-m-long CS2-filled 4-µm i.d. optical fiber. With a pump power of only 6 mW inside the fiber, a backward-wave conversion efficiency of 0.45% has been observed, which is in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions.