The nonlinear index of refraction and self-action effects in optical propagation

Author

Kelley, P.L.

Author_Institution

Electro-Opt. Technol. Center, Tufts Univ., Medford, MA, USA

Volume

6

Issue

6

fYear

2000

Firstpage

1259

Lastpage

1264

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;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/2944.902176

Filename

902176