Title :
The nonlinear index of refraction and self-action effects in optical propagation
Author_Institution :
Electro-Opt. Technol. Center, Tufts Univ., Medford, MA, USA
Abstract :
Since 1964 self-action effects in optical propagation have been subject to intense study and application. These processes have profound influence on the spatial and temporal behavior of beams and pulses as they travel through nonlinear media. This article considers the similarities and differences between the spatial and temporal self-action effects and presents simple arguments for the magnitudes of important parameters.
Keywords :
chirp modulation; light propagation; multiwave mixing; nonlinear optics; optical fibres; optical pulse compression; optical self-focusing; optical solitons; refractive index; self-phase modulation; beam spatial behavior; beam temporal behavior; chirping; field frequency components; four-wave mixing; light by light scattering; modulation instability; nonlinear index of refraction; nonlinear media; nonlinear polarisation; optical fibres; optical propagation; plane waves; pulse compression; pulse propagation; self-action effects; self-compression; self-focusing; self-phase modulation; spatial solitons; temporal solitons; weak-wave retardation; Chirp modulation; Fiber nonlinear optics; Frequency; Nonlinear optics; Optical fiber communication; Optical modulation; Optical propagation; Optical pulses; Optical refraction; Pulse modulation;
Journal_Title :
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/2944.902176
