Nonlinear Optical Systems

Guiding graduate students and researchers through the complex world of laser physics and nonlinear optics, this book provides an in-depth exploration of the dynamics of lasers and other relevant optical systems, under the umbrella of a unitary spatio-temporal vision. Adopting a balanced approach, the book covers traditional as well as special topics in laser physics, quantum electronics and nonlinear optics, treating them from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamical systems. These include laser emission, frequency generation, solitons, optically bistable systems, pulsations and chaos and optical pattern formation. It also provides a coherent and up-to-date treatment of the hierarchy of nonlinear optical models and of the rich variety of phenomena they describe, helping readers to understand the limits of validity of each model and the connections among the phenomena. It is ideal for graduate students and researchers in nonlinear optics, quantum electronics, laser physics and photonics. 'Nonlinear Optical Systems achieves an unmatched coverage in a field that has grown into many sub-disciplines in a very clear and coherent manner. This is a beautiful and self-contained book that starts with the fundamentals and goes on to cover the dynamical phenomena and optical pattern formation in quantum optical systems. Written by the leading lights of the field, [it] is a 'must have' for any serious student and researcher in the field of quantum optics, nonlinear optics and laser physics.' M. Suhail Zubairy, Texas A&M University 'This is an excellent book that covers a large variety of nonlinear optical phenomena with a unified view and notation. Of particular significance and novelty is the exhaustive treatment of spatial and temporal instabilities inside laser and laser-like systems.' Vittorio Degiorgio, University of Pavia 'This book is truly a wonderful reference for beginning graduate students, teachers and active researchers in the field of laser science, quantum electronics and nonlinear dynamics of optical systems. Written by internationally recognized and award-winning scientists, [it] is a fabulous overview of these broad areas of research from the 1960s (and earlier) to modern times. The authors have presented a range of material with enough detail for the reader to gain deep insight into the physics being discussed, yet relegated enough of the technical details to the extensive reference list so as not to distract the reader. The book is divided into three sections with a logical progression: steady state and propagation, dynamical phenomena and transverse effects. It is an excellent review of these fields, a great pedagogical tool and a 'must-have-on-your-desk' reference.' Frank A. Narducci, Naval Air Systems Command 'The reader will gain an in-depth familiarity with the field. This book can be used as a rich research resource and as a complementary text. It is suitable for graduate students as well as researchers in the field.' A. Zakery, Optics and Photonics NewsPreface; Part I. Models, Propagation, Steady-State Phenomena: 1. Rate equation model for the laser; 2. Interaction of a system of two-level atoms with the electromagnetic field; 3. The Maxwell-Bloch equations; 4. Inclusion of the irreversible processes in the atomic equations; 5. Linear and nonlinear propagation in irreversible Maxwell-Bloch equations; 6. Optical nonlinearities: materials with quadratic nonlinearities; 7. Optical nonlinearities: materials with cubic nonlinearities; 8. Optical resonators: the planar ring cavity, empty cavity, linear cavity; 9. Nonlinear active ring cavity: the ring laser, stationary states; 10. The adiabatic elimination principle; 11. Nonlinear passive ring cavity: optical bistability; 12. Modal equations for the ring cavity: the single-mode model; 13. Single- and two-mode models; 14. Nonlinear dynamics in Fabry-Perot cavities; 15. Inhomogeneous broadening; 16. The semiconductor laser; 17. Laser without inversion and the effects of atomic coherence; Part II. Dynamical Phenomena, Instabilities, Chaos: 18. Some general aspects in nonlinear dissipative dynamical systems; 19. Special limits in the single-mode model; 20. The linear stability analysis of Maxwell-Bloch equations; 21. Adiabatic elimination in the complete Maxwell-Bloch equations; 22. Dynamical aspects in the laser; 23. Single- and multi-mode operation in inhomogeneously broadened lasers; 24. Dynamical aspects in optical bistability; 25. Self-pulsing in other optical systems; Part III. Transverse Optical Patterns: 26. Gaussian beams and modes of cavities with spherical mirrors; 27. General features about optical pattern formation in planar cavities; 28. The LL model; 29. Spatial patterns in cavities with spherical mirrors; 30. Cavity solitons; Appendixes; References; Index.