Phase conjugation based on single backward second-order nonlinear parametric process

Abstract

We show that backward difference-frequency generation can be exploited to achieve phase conjugation in a second-order nonlinear medium. The backward configuration can be utilized to achieve broadband quasi-phase-matching, compared with the forward counterpart. Our calculation shows that a nonlinear reflectivity of close to 100% is achievable from a laser emitting an output power of ~1 mW. Such an efficient phase conjugator is made feasible by placing the nonlinear medium inside a pump laser cavity. In addition, a Fabry-Perot resonator at the input frequency is used to significantly improve the nonlinear reflectivity.