Dynamic Holography in Resonant Nonlinear Media: Theory and Application

Abstract

Two beam coupling (TBC) is a coherent interaction in which energy is transferred from one laser beam to another and has promising applications in real-time holography and coherent beam combing. We have recently shown efficient degenerate frequency TBC for counter-propagation geometries in isotropic two-photon absorbing media pumped with a nanosecond pulsed laser. When an interference pattern is generated in this media, single and two photon absorption initiates a population redistribution resulting in a holographic grating with the same modulation period and phase initially. However, due to temporal convolution of self- and cross-phase modulation, the grating will begin to shift in time relative to the interference pattern thus allowing coherent energy transfer to evolve. A comprehensive theoretical and numerical model is presented consistent with empirical results and historical observations of both energy and phase coupling. Numerical simulations indicate the presence self-oscillation due to nonlinear phase wrapping and strong excited state absorption inhibit energy transfer in a co-propagating geometry. However with proper temporal phase conditioning and choice of medium thickness, significant energy transfer can be achieved in the co-propagating case.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 29, 2021
Accession Number
AD1145753

Entities

People

  • Jonathan E. Slagle

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Diffraction
  • Energy Transfer
  • Engineering
  • Frequency
  • Geometry
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Nonlinear Optics
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Optical Properties
  • Optics
  • Phase Modulation
  • Physics
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Standing Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy