Quasi-Phase Matching Grating Gouy Phase Shift Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Gouy phase shift, a phase mismatch caused by focusing in nonlinear optical devices, hinders the achievement of perfect phase matching and reduces conversion efficiency in both birefringent and quasi-phase matching systems, as existing methods fail to effectively compensate for this effect.

Innovation Solution

A modified quasi-phase matching grating structure with adjusted positions of the nonlinear coefficient alternations, calculated using specific mathematical functions, to compensate for the Gouy phase shift, thereby enhancing phase matching and conversion efficiency in nonlinear optical interactions such as second harmonic generation and optical parametric generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a focused beam is used in a nonlinear material to achieve high power and tight focusing, then conversion efficiency is improved, but the Gouy phase shift causes phase mismatch and reduces conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidphase matching
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The grating period is pre-adjusted to account for and compensate the Gouy phase shift before the beam passes through the focus. By incorporating the expected phase shift into the grating design a priori, the phase matching condition is maintained throughout the interaction length despite the presence of focusing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The grating period parameter is modified from the standard phase-matched value to a compensated value that accounts for the Gouy phase shift. This parameter change allows the grating to counteract the phase advance experienced by the focused beam, maintaining phase matching conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If standard quasi-phase matching is used, then phase matching is achieved, but the Gouy phase shift from focusing causes phase mismatch and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase matchingVSAvoidconversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The grating period is modified from the standard phase-matched value to a compensated value that accounts for the Gouy phase shift. This parameter change allows the grating to counteract the phase advance experienced by the focused beam, maintaining phase matching conditions while enabling tighter focusing for higher efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution significantly improves phase matching and conversion efficiency, achieving higher efficiencies compared to standard gratings, with optimal focusing conditions allowing for more symmetric temperature and wavelength tuning responses and increased pump depletion in optical parametric processes.

Implementation Method 1

for focused laser beam interactions there is an effect known as the Gouy shift. This occurs with all focused optical beam interactions, and is a phase shift occurring whenever a beam passes through a focus.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGouy phase shift:

Implementation Method 2

An alternative phase matching technique is that of quasi-phase matching (QPM), in which the difference in phase velocities of the interacting waves is compensated by a periodic reversal of the nonlinear coefficient of the crystal along the propagation direction.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectQuasi-phase matching:

Implementation Method 3

devices for second harmonic generation (SHG) in which two photons are combined to create a new photon at twice the frequency (half the wavelength)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSecond harmonic generation: Second Harmonic Generation

Data Source

PatentEP2245508B1Compensation for the gouy phase shift in quasi-phase matching
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 UNIV OF SOUTHAMPTON
  • EP2245508B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2245508B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2245508B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A sample of nonlinear optical material for use in a nonlinear optical device contains a grating comprising alternating regions of inverted and non-inverted nonlinear coefficient of the material, with the regions separated by boundaries positioned such that the grating can provide quasi-phase matching of a selected nonlinear optical interaction, and compensate for phase mismatch arising from the Gouy phase shift of one or more focused optical beams involved in the interaction. The boundary positions can be calculated for second harmonic generation or optical parametric generation and oscillation.