Wave mixing in a bulk photorefractive medium: Spatiotemporal structures and amplitude equations

O. Sandfuchs*, F. Kaiser, M. R. Belić

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The counterpropagation of two laser beams through wave mixing in nonlinear optics may lead to spatiotemporal structures in the transverse beam profiles. We theoretically investigate the self-organization process of structures that arise in a photorefractive wave-mixing configuration with an external feedback mirror. The characteristic features mediated through the wave interaction in a bulk medium are discussed. Our group developed a beam propagation method that enabled us to perform numerical simulations beyond the first instability threshold. Primary and secondary spatiotemporal patterns, caused by the sluggish temporal response of the crystal in building reflection gratings, are observed. Analytically a Ginzburg-Landau equation for the order parameter and the corresponding longitudinal eigenfunctions of transverse modes, governing the propagation of the structures through the crystal, are derived and compared with our numerical results in one transverse dimension. First results of hexagonal patterns in two transverse dimensions are also presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2823-2836
Number of pages14
JournalInternational Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos
Volume11
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2001
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Wave mixing in a bulk photorefractive medium: Spatiotemporal structures and amplitude equations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this