Review of theories for predicting n2 in glasses and crystals
Abstract
The operation of large glass laser systems in fusion studies is limited by the self-focusing of the laser beam. Optical component materials having the lowest possible values of the nonlinear refractive index (n2) coefficient minimize this self-focusing. Several expressions for n2 are presented, noting the derivations and limitations of each. Consideration is given to the work of: (1) Boling, Glass, and Owyoung in which a semiclassical model of the nonlinear harmonic oscillator is used to derive an expression of n2, (2) Hellwarth, Cherlow, and Yang, in which measurements of Raman-scattering cross sections are used in conjunction with ellipse rotation results, (3) Fournier and Snitzer, where a general electronic susceptibility level theory is applied to a three-level quantum mechanical model, and (4) Wang, also representing a quantum mechanical approach.
- Publication:
-
Electro-Optics/Laser Conference and Exposition
- Pub Date:
- 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977eol..conf...37B
- Keywords:
-
- Crystal Optics;
- Glass;
- Laser Fusion;
- Laser Materials;
- Nonlinear Optics;
- Refractivity;
- Energy Technology;
- Harmonic Oscillators;
- Mathematical Models;
- Quantum Mechanics;
- Raman Spectra;
- Scattering Cross Sections;
- Self Focusing;
- Lasers and Masers