Phase-matching conditions for nonlinear frequency conversion by use of aligned molecular gases
Date
2003
Authors
Kapteyn, H. C., author
Murnane, M. M., author
Wyss, J., author
Baertschy, M. D., author
Wagner, N. L., author
Bartels, R. A., author
Optical Society of America, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Transient birefringence can be induced in a gas of anisotropic molecules by an intense polarized laser pulse. We propose to use this birefringence to phase match nonlinear optical frequency-conversion processes. The conditions for anisotropic phase matching are derived, and experimental conditions required for phase-matched third-harmonic generation in a gas-filled hollow-core fiber are presented. We show that these conditions are experimentally feasible over a significant parameter range, making possible a new type of nonlinear optics.