Nonlinear Optics (FSI-TNE)

Academic year 2023/2024
Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Jiří Petráček, Dr.  
Supervising institute: ÚFI all courses guaranted by this institute
Teaching language: Czech
Aims of the course unit:

Course objectives: A basic overview of nonlinear optics with strong emphasis on the underlying principles. Understanding of the coupled-wave formalism for description of the nonlinear optical interactions and knowledge of the most important applications.

 

Competences: Students should be able to understand scientific papers on the field of nonlinear optics and continue to perform their own research.
Learning outcomes and competences:

Competences: Students should be able to understand scientific papers on the field of nonlinear optics and continue to perform their own research.
Prerequisites:

Knowledge of mathematics, general physics and optics at the level of basic undergraduate courses.
Course contents:

The course gives an introduction to nonlinear optics – the branch of optics that studies the interaction of intense laser light with matter. The lectures focus mainly on classical topics (e.g., second-harmonic generation, optical parametric oscillation, third-order nonlinear processes, optical solitons, Raman and Brillouin scattering) with strong emphasis on the fundamental aspects. Also, the course briefly introduces basic approaches for describing light-matter interaction. Finally, a brief discussion of the nonlinear optical phenomena from a quantum perspective is provided.
Teaching methods and criteria:

The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. 
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes:

Course-unit credit conditions: the solution of one homework problem and passing the final written exam.

 
Controlled participation in lessons:
 
Type of course unit:
    Lecture  13 × 2 hrs. optionally                  
Course curriculum:
    Lecture

  1. Electric field and polarization

  2. Wave-equation description of nonlinear optical interactions

  3. Second-order nonlinear processes

  4. The intensity-dependent refractive index

  5. Four-wave mixing

  6. Propagation of light pulses, self-phase modulation

  7. Optical solitons

  8. Atom-photon interactions

  9. Raman and Brillouin scattering

  10. Quantum nonlinear optics
Literature - fundamental:
1. R.W. Boyd: Nonlinear Optics, 4th Edition, Academic Press, 2020.
2. E. Powers, J. W. Haus: Fundamentals of Nonlinear Optics, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, 2017.
Literature - recommended:
1. R.W. Boyd: Nonlinear Optics, 4th Edition, Academic Press, 2020.
The study programmes with the given course:
Programme Study form Branch Spec. Final classification   Course-unit credits     Obligation     Level     Year     Semester  
N-PMO-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 2 Elective 2 2 W
N-FIN-P full-time study --- no specialisation -- Cr 2 Elective 2 2 W