1 - An introduction to nonlinear photonics

Abstract

In this chapter, we briefly introduce the basis of polarization terms that determine the nonlinear response of the materials, focusing our discussion on the second-order nonlinear processes, which are the important elements of the modern nonlinear photonic. Then we present some examples of theory and experiments of second-order nonlinear effects: 1) multipolar terms that explain interesting properties of photonic materials, 2) nonhomogeneous materials, such as photonic crystals, that have opened the way for having nonlinear optical effects enhanced by field localized effects, useful for a number of photonics devices.