Counter-propagating difference frequency mixing in diamond with terahertz waves
We investigate four-wave mixing between terahertz and optical pulses in diamond. We observe the occurrence of sum and difference frequency generation, with the latter being phase-matched for terahertz pulses counter-propagating to the optical field.
Giant collective incoherent shock waves in strongly nonlinear turbulent flows
Contrary to conventional coherent shocks, we show theoretically and experimentally that nonlocal turbulent flows lead to the emergence of large-scale incoherent shock waves, which constitute a collective phenomenon of the incoherent field as a whole.
Counter-propagating frequency mixing with Terahertz waves in diamond
Frequency conversion by means of Kerr nonlinearity is one of the most common and exploited nonlinear optical processes in the UV, visible, IR, and mid-IR spectral regions. Here we show that wave mixing of an optical field and a terahertz wave can be achieved in diamond, resulting in the frequency conversion of the terahertz radiation either by sum- or difference-frequency generation. In the latter case, we show that this process is phase matched and most efficient in a counterpropagating geometry.
X-shaped space-time coherence in optical parametric generation
We study the spatiotemporal coherence properties of superfluorescence radiation generated in optical parametric amplification of quantum noise. We show that the angular dispersion properties of the spatiotemporal spectra, measured in different phase-matching conditions, lead to a clear X-shaped structure of the mutual correlation function of the radiation. Within a statistical picture, we interpret the generated superfluorescence as a stochastic “gas” of quasistationary modes characterized by a skewed correlation in the spatiotemporal domain, with characteristics similar to linear and nonlinear X waves not describable within a separable approach in space and time.
Emergence of X-Shaped Spatiotemporal Coherence in Optical Waves
Considering the problem of parametric nonlinear interaction, we report the experimental observation of electromagnetic waves characterized by an X-shaped spatiotemporal coherence; i.e., coherence is neither spatial nor temporal, but skewed along specific spatiotemporal trajectories. The application of the usual, purely spatial or temporal, measures of coherence would erroneously lead to the conclusion that the field is fully incoherent. Such hidden coherence has been identified owing to an innovative diagnostic technique based on simultaneous analysis of both the spatial and temporal spectra.
Optical Bloch-mode-induced quasi phase matching of quadratic interactions in one-dimensional photonic crystals
We examine in detail the quasi-phase-matching process obtained as a stationary modulation of the fundamental field at the band edge of a finite one-dimensional photonic crystal. The treatment is carried out in terms of the structure Bloch waves and fully explains the behavior of second-harmonic generation in the grating. An integrated microstructured AlGaAs mesa waveguide is proposed that gives efficient second-harmonic and difference-frequency generation in virtue of the combined presence of a periodic modulation of the fundamental-field amplitude and of the photonic bandgap edge.
Counter-propagating difference-frequency generation in diamond with terahertz fields
The nonlinear interaction of terahertz (THz) pulses with optical fields in Kerr, gaseous media is a key ingredient for broadband THz detection schemes [1]. Terahertz field-induced second harmonic generation in solid-state media has also been considered for THz detection and as a tool e.g. for liquid dynamics investigations [2,3], while four-wave mixing has been addressed as a possible mechanism for THz generation [4,5]. © 2013 IEEE.
Shock-induced complex phase-space dynamics of strongly turbulent flows
Shock waves have been thoroughly investigated during the last century in many different branches of physics. In conservative (Hamiltonian) systems the shock singularity is regularized by weak wave dispersion, thus leading to the formation of a rapidly and regular oscillating structure, usually termed in the literature dispersive shock wave (DSW), see e.g. [1]. Here, we show that this fundamental singular process of DSW formation can break down in a system of incoherent nonlinear waves. We consider the strong turbulent regime of a system of nonlocal nonlinear optical waves. We report theoretically and experimentally a characteristic transition: Strengthening the nonlocal character of the non…
Giant collective incoherent shock waves in strong turbulence
Contrary to conventional coherent shocks, we show theoretically and experimentally that nonlocal turbulent flows lead to the emergence of large-scale incoherent shock waves, which constitute a collective phenomenon of the incoherent field as a whole.
Experimental evidence of X-shaped spatiotemporal coherence of superfluorescence radiation
Considering the parametric generation process in a quadratic nonlinear crystal, we report the experimental observation of optical waves characterized by a X-shaped spatiotemporal coherence, i.e. a coherence skewed along spatiotemporal trajectories.
Emergence of long-range phase coherence in nonlocal nonlinear media
The emergence of long range phase coherence among random nonlinear waves is a fascinating effect that characterizes many fundamental phenomena. For instance, the condensation of classical waves [1,2] is an important example of self-organization process that generates lot of interest as a classical analogue of quantum Bose-Einstein condensation. Wave condensation is known to be characterized by the emergence of long-range order and phase-coherence, in the sense that the correlation function of the wave amplitude does not decay at infinity. This property of long range phase coherence is fundamental, for instance for the manifestation of superfluid behaviors, or the generation of Bogoliubov so…