Abstract

We studied the optical rectification effect of a small-particle composite, which consists of small metal or degenerate n-type semiconductor spheres embedded in a dielectric host, in the presence of an intense radiation at the surface plasma frequency ω_s of the spheres. We adopt the quasi-hydrodynamic theory to describe the dynamics of the electrons and include the screening effect resulting from the gradient of the quantum pressure of the electrons. The total electric field of the small spheres obeys Poisson’s equation. We solve the hydrodynamic and electrostatic equations perturbatively. The first-order solutions are resonantly enhanced at ωs. The second-order equations have inhomogeneous drive terms, which are doubly resonantly enhanced at ω_s. The second-order solutions consist of second harmonic¹ and dc rectified parts. Here we examine the rectification effect and consider a possible scheme to measure it. In particular, the Cherenkov radiation of an effective moving polarization induced by the optical rectification effect inside the small sphere composite can be generated by focusing a short pulse onto the composite and may be observable.

© 1988 Optical Society of America