Non-linear optics for transducers: Principles and materials

Abstract

This paper concentrates on intensity-dependent refractive-index changes due to the third-order optical non-linearity. Materials exhibiting such effects are good candidates for applications in all-optical devices. The discussion will be on these materials, and characterization techniques and an overview will be given of proposed and realized all-optical devices. Of the latter, the non-linear Y-junction and Mach-Zehnder interferometer will be treated in considerable detail.