Polarization coupling and pattern selection in a type-II optical parametric oscillator

Abstract

We study the role of a direct intracavity polarization coupling in the dynamics of transverse pattern formation in type-II optical parametric oscillators. Transverse intensity patterns are predicted from a stability analysis, numerically observed, and described in terms of amplitude equations. Standing wave intensity patterns for the two polarization components of the field arise from the nonlinear competition between two concentric rings of unstable modes in the far field. Close to threshold a wavelength is selected leading to standing waves with the same wavelength for the two polarization components. Far from threshold the competition stabilizes patterns in which two different wavelengths coexist.

Critical fluctuations in an optical parametric oscillator: when light behaves like magnetism

“…It is the vicinity and just above this critical point that is the main regime of interest in this paper. We note that above threshold, further instabilities exist, including limit cycles and spatial pattern formation [56].…”

“…As a first investigation, we treat the classical approximation, which has also been analyzed in some earlier work [24,31,[54][55][56][57]. Here one assumes that all noise is negligible, so that A + i = A * i , which gives equations in the form:…”

Transverse dynamics in cavity nonlinear optics (2000–2003)

“…In the type II DOPO, standing wave intensity patterns for the two polarization components of the field arise from the nonlinear competition between two concentric rings of unstable modes. Close to threshold a linear stability predicts standing waves with the same wavelength for the two polarization components [82]. In this device, waves are the predominant solutions and the defects are vectorial dislocations that appear at the boundaries of domains where travelling waves of different phases or wavevector orientations are formed [83].…”