Abstract

The principle of real-time dynamic range compression via the intensity dependence of nonlinear media is discussed. When two optical waves are incident on a nonlinear medium in a geometry similar to that used in a two-wave or four-wave mixing setup, it has been found that the intensity of one wave may be enhanced at the expense of the intensity of the other. Furthermore, the degree of exchange has been found to be both temperature and beam-intensity dependent in certain compound semiconductors. This phenomenon should be applicable to dynamic range compression for optical image processing. Experimental results of the intensity dependence of beam coupling in semi-insulating GaAs are used for the illustration of the principle.

© 1986 Optical Society of America