Modelling noncollinear 3D pulse propagation (Conference Presentation)

Abstract

Recently some of us have shown that the use of a correct ab initio approach to nonlinear pulse propagation simulations during nonlinear optical device designing can result in significant efficiency increase with respect to the efficiency of existing solutions [1]. Herewith, we present the results of expanding our model to treatment of noncolinear optical configurations. To the best of our knowledge this is the first propagation model that enables noncolinear configurations while in minimal assumptions regime: unidirectionality and paraxial approximation. The noncolinear propagation is required when interaction of two or more beams is considered. In this case the use of not necessarily slowly varying envelope for each interacting beam is justified from both physical and computational reasons. In case of 3D noncolinear propagation the above conclusion leads to the concept of reference wavevector. Our model is based on unidirectional pulse propagation equation (UPPE) in a rotated frame of reference. Different rotation has to be performed for each of the interacting beams. Finally the initial conditions (rotated optical pulses) can be prepared through arbitrary 3D rotation through Fourier Transform shear operations. The idea, realization and advantages of the above mentioned, novel concepts: reference wavevector, rotated UPPE and arbitrary Fourier rotation will be discussed in the presentation. It will be supported by examples of simulation of chirped pulse noncolinear optical parametric amplifier (OPCPA), fluorescence up-conversion and four-wave mixing. 1. T. M. Kardaś, M. Nejbauer, P. Wnuk, B. Resan, C. Radzewicz, and P. Wasylczyk, Scientific Reports 7, 42889 (2017).