Abstract

Research on the interaction of high-powered laser radiation with single aerosol particles has recently revealed many fascinating new differences in their nonlinear optical behavior relative to bulk materials. These include the observation of enhanced nonlinear responses, such as stimulated Brillouin and Raman scattering,^1-4 sum- frequency generation,⁵ frequency pulling,⁶ and lasing.⁷ The unique character of these optical phenomena in droplets stems from the existence of morphology-dependent resonances, the electromagnetic cavity modes of the micrometer-size-range spheres.⁸

© 1991 Optical Society of America