Phase measurements in nonlinear optics

Abstract

Measurement of the phase, and not only the intensity, of the nonlinear optical response of a system is important in many applications which are reviewed here. We demonstrate and compare several techniques for direct measurement of the phase of the nonlinear susceptibilities through nonlinear interferometry. Different ways of imparting a controllable phase shift are discussed. Unless the coherence length is impractically large, the preferred method is to use a variable-pressure gas cell to control the phase difference between the input laser pulse and the nonlinear optical signal.