Theoretical Problems in Cavity Nonlinear Optics

by Paul Mandel

Overview

The scientific and technological importance of lasers has generated great interest in the field of cavity nonlinear optics. This book provides a thorough description of this subject in terms of modern dynamical systems theory, with an emphasis on deriving analytical results and highlighting their physical significance. The book applies physical models for active and passive cavities to a variety of problems in laser theory, optical bistability and parametric oscillators. Subjects include scaling laws, Hopf bifurcations, passive Q-switching, and Turing instabilities. Several of the topics treated cannot be found in other books, including swept control parameter dynamics, laser stability, multimode rate equations, and antiphase dynamics. The book stresses the connections between theoretical work and actual experimental results, and will be of great interest to graduate students and researchers in theoretical physics, nonlinear optics, and laser physics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521553858
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/13/1997
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics , #21
Pages:	202
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. Reduction of the Maxwell–Schrödinger equations; 2. Parameter swept across a steady bifurcation I; 3. Parameter swept across a steady bifurcation II; 4. Optical bistability: constant input; 5. Optical bistability: variable input; 6. Multimode optical bistability; 7. Free running multimode lasers; 8. Antiphase dynamics; 9. Laser stability; 10. Second harmonic generation; 11. Saturable absorbers; 12. Transverse effects in optical bistability.

Editorial Reviews

'This book provides a thorough description of the field in terms of modern dynamical systems theory. Throughout the emphasis is on deriving analytical results and highlighting their physical significance … The book stresses the connections between theoretical work and actual experimental results and will be of great interest to graduate students and researchers in theoretical physics, nonlinear optics, and laser physics.' K. Welker, Optik

From the Publisher