ABSTRACT

Third-order nonlinear optical properties provide the means to control light with light, to alter the frequency of color of light, and to amplify one source of light with another, switch it, or alter its transmission characteristics through a medium, depending on its intensity [1]. The use of light intensity-dependent transmission properties of materials can protect human eyes or optoelectronic sensors from unwanted or stray sources of laser radiation. Optical processing and optical storage of information are also of great importance to communication technology, where high-speed modulators and demodulators are needed. These methods will allow parallel processing with greatly enhanced speed. It is the potential for providing these functions in suitable materials and devices that motivates much of the current fundamental research on the third-order nonlinear optical response of new materials.