Abstract

The second-order nonlinear interaction between a fundamental light wave and its second harmonic causes energy transfer between the interacting waves (second harmonic generation (SHG) and modifies their phases nonlinearly (cascaded nonlinearity) [1]. The nonlinear phase shift due to cascading can be orders of magnitude larger than phase shifts produced by the third-order nonlinearity (nonlinear refractive index). This implies that all-optical switching can also be implemented on the basis of cascading [2].

© 1996 Optical Society of America