Timo A. Laine

Rigorous volume grating solution to distortion correction in nonlinear layered media near a phase-conjugate mirror

We make use of an exact electromagnetic theory of volume gratings to investigate the scattering properties of a Kerr layer near a phase conjugate mirror. The scattered fields are evaluated in both TE and TM polarization by an iterative method that applies to any periodic structure. We demonstrate the validity of Agarwals theorem, stating that under certain conditions phase conjugation is capable of compensating static distortions introduced by nonlinear media.

Thin-layer theory and parallel techniques for nonlinear Kerr medium

We develop a nonlinear thin-film theory. By using a superposition of plane waves with a thin-layer approximation the Kerr-Maxwell equation is solved exactly within a thin slab. The characteristic matrix of the Kerr-medium resembles the corresponding linear matrix, but the wave vectors now are field dependent. The linear result is recovered in the limit of vanishing nonlinearity. We also discuss alternative theories for fields in nonlinear Kerr-media, based on variational principles and on perturbative Hamilton-Jacobi formalism.

Nonlinear thin-layer theory and approximative techniques

We derive a thin-layer theory for stratified nonlinear structures. By using a superposition of plane waves we solve the Kerr-Maxwell equation rigorously within a thin slab. We construct the characteristic matrix of the medium and show that the wave vectors become field dependent. We also consider alternative methods that can be employed in layered nonlinear structures. Especially we make use of the calculus of variations and Hamiltons canonical perturbation theory.

Wave distortion correction and optical bistability in a nonlinear medium near phase-conjugate mirror

Nonlinear optical properties in thin layers are investigated near a phase conjugate mirror. By using a rigorous electromagnetic theory of volume gratings the wave distortion correction by phase conjugation is examined in a nonlinear Kerr medium and Agarwals theorem is numerically demonstrated. At specific incidence angles guided modes are formed inside the layered structure. When the nonlinearity is increased optical bistability is observed in waveguide resonances. An analytic solution is developed to explain the numerical data.