Nonlinear and Ultrafast Optics

Code:

FIS4033

Acronym:

FIS4033

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S

Active?	No
Responsible unit:	Department of Physics and Astronomy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Engineering Physics

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:EF	0	Official Study Plan since 2021_M:EF	2	-	6	42	162
M:F	0	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	42	162
			2

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Fundamentals of nonlinear optics, with a focus on the optics of ultrashort laser pulses (ultrafast optics) allowing for a more comprehensive and up-to-date approach to the field.
This is not a classic course (it is taught only at a few institutions aroung the World) and its subject is a particularly young and rapidly evolving field, encompassing a growing number of areas of physics, engineering and nonlinear science. Therefore, this will be a dynamical course, illustrated with recent and relevant research results.

Learning outcomes and competences

a) Knowledge of the origin, formulation and application of nonlinear optical properties and processes;

b) analytical calculation skills for second- and third-order nonlinear optical processes (second-harmonic generation, parametric amplification, self-phase modulation and the optical Kerr effect, etc.) for monochromatic laser fields;

c) knowledge and use of tools for the numerical calculation of nonlinear processes (different effects, materiais, interaction geometries, ultrashort pulses and gaussian beams);

d) knowledge of the formalism and description of linear ultrashort pulse propagation in the spectral and temporal domains and of nonlinear optical processes with pulses;

e) knowledge of nonlinear propagation equations and of tools and methods for solving them numerically;

f) awareness of recent techniques, results and research topics in ultrafast science and technology.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Electromagnetism, optics (preferably including laser physics), optical materials and basic quantum mechanics.

Program

1. Introduction






5. Third-order nonlinear processes
Basic third-order processes: definitions, symmetry considerations, third harmonic generation, the DC Kerr effect and the Kerr cell, the optical Kerr effect, intensity-dependent refractive index, spatial solitons, self-focusing, and self-phase modulation;
Stimulated Raman scattering. Interaction of optical and acoustic waves. Stimulated Brillouin scattering. Optical phase conjugation. Supercontinuum generation.



7. Nonlinear optics with pulses
Introduction and preview. Wave equation for short pulses. Self-phase modulation. Self-phase modulation with dispersion: optical solitons. Self-steepening and shock formation. Compression of self-phase modulated pulses. Group velocity dispersion in second harmonic generation. Optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA). Nonlinear optical diagnosis of short pulses. Mode-locked pulse trains and carrier envelope phase control.
Advanced research topics in ultrafast optics (tipically 2-3 per year, time pertimtting): few-cycle pulse compression, nonlinear optics in photonic crystals, high-harmonic generation, attosecond pulses, ...

Mandatory literature

Robert W. Boyd; Nonlinear optics. ISBN: 978-0-12-369470-6

Complementary Bibliography

Geoffrey New; Introduction to Nonlinear Optics, 2014. ISBN: 1107424488
P. E. Powers; Fundamentals of Nonlinear Optics, CRC Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1420093513

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theory classes, problem solving classes (both classes with examples and illustrations), it is possible to visit research laboratories that develop and use ultrafast laser technology.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

3/4 of the classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment is made by final exam:

Optional: Students who so wish can prepare a work on one of the topics of the course with a final weight of 20% (~20 A4 pages) (in this case the exam will be worth 80% and cannot have a grade lower than 8.0 values )

Classification improvement

Final examination only.