This thesis provides deep insights into currently controversial questions in laser filamentation, a highly complex phenomenon involving nonlinear optical effects and plasma physics. First, based on the concrete picture of a femtosecond laser beam which self-pinches its radial intensity distribution, the thesis delivers a novel explanation for the remarkable and previously unexplained phenomenon of pulse self-compression in filaments. Moreover, the work addresses the impact of a non-adiabatic change of both nonlinearity and dispersion on such an intense femtosecond pulse transiting from a gaseous dielectric material to a solid one. Finally, and probably most importantly, the author presents a simple and highly practical theoretical approach for quantitatively estimating the influence of higher-order nonlinear optical effects in optics. These results shed new light on recent experimental observations, which are still hotly debated and may completely change our understanding of filamentation, causing a paradigm change concerning the role of higher-order nonlinearities in optics.

Examining classic theories, experimental methods, and practical formulas for exploration of the core topics in nonlinear optics, the second edition of this acclaimed text was extensively revised to reflect recent advances in the analysis and modification of material properties for application in frequency conversion, optical switching and limiting, multiphoton absorption, and electro-optic effects. Handbook of Nonlinear Optics, Second Edition contains additional chapters on ultrafast characterization techniques, laser flash photolysis, and the electro-optic effect as well as expanded coverage of nonlinear optics in fibers and pulsed two-beam coupling.

There has recently been a rapid growth of activity in nonlinear optics. Effects such as frequency doubling, stimulated Raman scattering, phase conjugation and solitons are of great interest both for their fundamental properties and their many important applications in science and engineering. It is mainly these applications - especially in telecommunications and information processing - that have stimulated the recent surge of activity. This book is a self contained account of the most important principles of nonlinear optics. Assuming only a familiarity with basic mathematics, the fundamentals of nonlinear optics are fully developed from basic concepts. The essential quantum mechanical apparatus is introduced and explained. In later chapters the underlying ideas are illustrated by discussing particular experimental configurations and materials. This book will be an invaluable introduction to the field for beginning graduates in physics or engineering, and will provide an excellent overview and reference work for active researchers in the field.

This book attempts to give a discussion of the physics and current and potential applications of the self-focusing of an intense femtosecond laser pulse in a tra- parent medium. Although self-focusing is an old subject of nonlinear optics, the consequence of self-focusing of intense femtosecond laser pulses is totally new and unexpected. Thus, new phenomena are observed, such as long range lam- tation, intensity clamping, white light laser pulse, self-spatial ltering, self-group phase locking, self-pulse compression, clean nonlinear uorescence, and so on. Long range propagation at high intensity, which is seemingly against the law of diffraction, is probably one of the most exciting consequences of this new sub- eld of nonlinear optics. Because the intensity inside the lament core is high, new ways of doing nonlinear optics inside the lament become possible. We call this lamentation nonlinear optics. We shall describe the generation of pulses at other wavelengths in the visible and ultraviolet (UV) starting from the near infrared pump pulse at 800 nm through four-wave-mixing and third harmonic generation, all in gases. Remotely sensing uorescence from the fragments of chemical and biological agents in all forms, gaseous, aerosol or solid, inside the laments in air is demonstrated in the labo- tory. The results will be shown in the last part of the book. Through analyzing the uorescence of gas molecules inside the lament, an unexpected physical process pertaining to the interaction of synchrotron radiation with molecules is observed.

Solitons in Optical Fiber Systems Discover a robust exploration of the main properties and behaviors of solitons in fiber systems In Solitons in Optical Fiber Systems, distinguished researcher Dr. Mário F. S. Ferreira delivers a thorough treatment of the main characteristics of solitons in optical fiber communication systems and fiber devices, paying special attention to stationary and pulsating dissipative soliton pulses. The book discusses the technical aspects associated with the physical background and the theoretical description of soliton characteristics under different conditions. The author employs numerical analyses and variational approaches to describe soliton evolution and describes the phenomenon of supercontinuum generation and various solitonic effects observed in highly nonlinear fibers, like photonic crystal fibers. Readers will learn about different applications of fiber solitons in transmission systems, fiber lasers, couplers, and pulse compression schemes, as well as complex Ginzburg-Landau equations, which are used to model different types of dissipative systems. The book also includes: A thorough introduction to solitons, including the linear and nonlinear effects of a wave, the discovery of solitary waves, and the discovery of solitons in optical fibers An exploration of fiber dispersion and nonlinearity, including optical fiber dispersion, the pulse propagation equation, and the impact of fiber dispersion Practical discussions of nonlinear effects in optical fibers, including self-phase modulation, cross-phase modulations, four-wave mixing, and stimulated raman scattering In-depth treatments of solitons in optical fibers, including modulation instability, dark solitons, bistable solitons, XPM-paired solitons, and the variational approach Perfect for senior undergraduate and graduate students in courses dealing with fiber-optics technology, Solitons in Optical Fiber Systems is also an ideal resource for engineers and technicians in the fiber-optics industry and researchers of nonlinear fiber optics.

Specialty Optical Fibers reviews theoretical and experimental photonic research relevant to the synthesis, processing, characterization, modeling, physical features, and applications of Specialty Optical Fibers (SOFs) with significant technological impact potential. All fiber-based advanced photonics device components rely on specialty optical fibers, which have either a unique waveguide structure or a novel material composition. High power optical amplifiers, high power fiber, and novel fabrication techniques for optical fiber design have enabled significant technological advances. The book provides discussion on these applications including current research directions, future opportunities and remaining challenges.Specialty Optical Fibers is suitable for researchers in academia and practitioners in R&D working in the subject areas of materials science, electrical engineering, and fiber optics. - Includes an overview of specialty optical fiber materials design and fabrication technologies - Reviews fundamentals of the most relevant optical fiber materials, including their physics, chemistry, and optoelectronics principles - Explores current research directions and future opportunities and challenges of utilization of optical fibers for a wide range of diverse applications