Review of Nonlinear Optical Phenomena

Abstract

In this chapter we deal with fundamental nonlinear optical phenomena, such as the generation of harmonics, parametric oscillation and amplification, frequency conversion, self-focusing, Raman, Brillouin and hyper-Raman scattering and multiphoton absorption and emission; we also provide a brief review of resonant coherent phenomena, such as superradiance, self-induced transparency and photon echoes. A more detailed quantum statistical treatment is then given in Chapter 9. The treatment of this chapter is rather brief and introductory and further details concerning the traditional description of nonlinear optical phenomena can be found in the monographs and reviews mentioned in the Introduction.