Our interest in nonlinear propagation of strong optical pulses
is motivated by the breakthrough in synthesis of novel organic materials possessing
prespecified
nonlinear optical
properties. This led to a multitude of potential applications such as,
for example, 3D imaging and data storage, optical limiting and photodynamic
cancer therapy. In order to clarify the underlying physics, a strict solution
has been derived of the density matrix equations of a material aiming at an
explicit treatment of its nonlinear polarization without addressing a conventional
Taylor
expansion over field amplitudes. Such a formalism is developed for many-level
molecules, allowing to solve the coupled Maxwell's and density matrix equations
for the propagation of a few interacting laser pulses through
a nonlinear molecular medium. The theory is capable to account for
multi-photon processes of an arbitrary
order and for different saturation effects. The theory is applied to
simulations of two- and three-photon absorption as well as to upconverted
stimulated emission of
organic molecules in
solvents. Click the links below to learn more about our research. If you
are interested in joining our group or in collaboration contact
Hans Ågren.
