Phys 577: Ultrafast and Nonlinear Optics
An introduction to and survey of the field of ultrafast & nonlinear optics
Lecturer: F. Ömer Ilday
Room: SA-224
Phone: x1076
Email: ilday@bilkent.edu.tr
Web: http://www.bilkent.edu.tr/~ilday//courses/2008/577/ultrafast_course.html
Office Hours: To be determined next week
Ultrafast optics will form the core, with considerable amount of nonlinear
optics background to be provided for a fuller and more intuitive understanding.
The main topics are: nonlinear and dispersive pulse propagation, soliton
formation, theory of the nonlinear optical susceptibility, laser dynamics, modelocking of lasers, ultrafast laser dynamics, common nonlinear optical
processes. In addition, three active research subjects will be discussed as
special topics. This year, they are: (i) optical frequency combs, (ii) ultrafast
measurement techniques, and (iii) femtosecond materials processing. The
subject of this course is a young and rapidly evolving field, touching
increasingly broad areas of physics, nonlinear science, and electrical
engineering. As a result, this will be a fast-paced and very colorful course.
Many of the exercises and examples will be picked from recent research
papers. There will be a term project, where you will get the chance to learn
about a "hot" subject or even do original research if you are sufficiently
motivated.
Requirements and Level:
The class will be taught in a largely self-contained manner. A matching
background will make it easier to follow, but is not a must. However, the
course will be fast paced and a certain level of academic maturity is assumed
on your part. Some of the exercises will require computer-based calculations
using your favorite math program (Matlab, Mathematica, etc). Thus, basic
engineer/physicist-level of computer literacy is required.
The level is appropriate for senior undergraduates or graduate students
majoring in physics or EE. However, it may be open to exceptional junior
students, who are motivated and well-prepared, subject to my consent.
Recommended Courses:
PHYS 316/EE 304: Electromagnetic Theory II (Maxwell's equations, wave
propagation) PHYS 415/EE 428: Optics, PHYS 515: Advanced Optics or EE
429: Photonics PHYS 243: Methods of Mathematical Physics (intuitive
command of math techniques needed) PHYS 325: Quantum Mechanics I
Reading Material
Due to the nature of the subject, there is no single textbook that I will follow
closely, however the following resources will be helpful.
•
•
•
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Nonlinear Fiber Optics, Govind Agrawal (chapters 1-5)
Nonlinear Optics, Robert W. Boyd (chapters 1, 2 and 12)
Ultrafast Optics Lecture Notes, Franz Kaertner (available electronically)
Ultrafast Optics Lecture Notes, Rick Trebino (available online)
Possible Grading Scheme
Component
Homework
Midterm (open book)
Final (open book)
Class Project
Percentage
20
20
25
35
Detailed Description of the Contents (subject to minor modifications)
1. Introduction and Overview
Overview of ultrafast and nonlinear optics, the science and the technological
applications it enables. The interrelations of the individual topics will be
exposed, placed in the context of contemporary research.
2. Propagation of Pulsed Beams
Derivation of the wave description of the propagation of laser beams in free
space and in bulk and wave-guiding media from Maxwell's Equations.
Dispersion and purely dispersive pulse propagation.
3. Nonlinear Pulse Propagation and Optical Solitons
Nonlinear pulse propagation and the derivation of the Nonlinear Schroedinger
Equation. The Kerr effect and self-phase modulation. Interplay of dispersion
and nonlinearity. Solitons and similaritons.
4. Basic Laser Dynamics
Review of amplification of light by stimulated emission and single-mode laser
dynamics: rate equations, build-up of laser oscillation and continuous-wave
operation, Q-switching. Overview of the technological frontier in continuous
and Q-switched laser systems.
Active Mode-Locking of Lasers (if time permitting)
The concept of pulse generation through mode-locking. Master equation of
modelocking, mode-locking by amplitude and phase modulation. Case study:
state-of-the art actively mode-locked fiber lasers.
5. Passive Mode-Locking of Lasers
Passive mode-locking in contrast to active mode-locking. Master-equation
formalism compared with propagating-waves-in-resonator approach. Modelocking with slow and fast saturable absorbers, soliton mode-locking.
6. Ultrafast (Mode-locked) Laser Dynamics
Mode-locking regimes of ultrafast lasers: soliton-like, dispersion-managed,
allnormal- dispersion and self-similar regimes. Dynamic instabilities of
ultrafast lasers. Characterization of ultrashort pulses.
7. Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility
Origins of optical nonlinearity: classical description of the optical nonlinearity
based on the anharmonic oscillator model.
8. Wave-Equation Description of Nonlinear Optical Processes
Self-focusing of light, second-harmonic generation and phase-matching of
optical nonlinear processes.
9. Selected Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Processes
Selected chi(2) processes: difference-frequency generation and parametric
amplification. Case study: state-of-the-art in optical parametric chirped-pulse
amplification (OPCPA) systems.
10. Special Topic 1: Optical Frequency Combs
Optical frequency combs as frequency dividers from 100 THz to 100 MHz.
The advent of optical clocks and ultra-precise spectroscopy. Generation and
stabilization of frequency combs and the underlying ultrafast laser technology.
Noise in lasers, quantum limits to noise and its effects on measurements.
Technical discussion of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physics in this context.
11. Special Topic 2: Materials Processing with Femtosecond Pulses
Introduction to precise processing (ablation, machining, surface modification,
writing waveguides) of various materials (metals, glass, diamond, biological
tissue, individual cells) with femtosecond pulses. This is a new technique
building on the possibility of sub-wavelength feature sizes (down to
nanometer scale) and processing without heat deposition.
12. Special Topic 3: Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Introduction to pump-probe measurements and ultrafast spectroscopy.
Technical discussion of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry in this context.
13. Project Reports/Presentations
Each student or group of students gives a research-seminar style
presentation of their project results. Individual feedback will be given on the
technical content and the presentation quality. It is among the goals of this
exercise to provide training to the students in successful presentation of
research results.