Abstract

Optical frequency conversion by nonlinear processes was realized soon after the development of high-power lasers. In particular, laser third harmonic (TH) generation in gaseous media has long been established as a practical method for the generation of short-wavelength radiation. The necessary criteria for the production of third harmonic light have been thoroughly studied and are well understood. In particular, for a tightly focused configuration, such third harmonic production occurs only for those wavelengths at which the gas is negatively dispersive, i.e., Δk < 0, where Δk is the wave vector mismatch, k(3ω)−3k(ω), between the incident and generated waves.

© 1987 Optical Society of America