De nombreuses applications militaires ou civiles, telles que la spectroscopie dans les bandes de transmission de l’atmosphère (bandes 3-5µm et 8-12µm), nécessitent de disposer de sources émettant dans le moyen infrarouge (IR). Les travaux de cette thèse portent sur la génération de rayonnement dans la bande 3-5µm par amplification paramétrique (mélange à quatre ondes) dans les fibres optiques en verres fluorés et en verres de chalcogénures. La première partie de ce travail a été consacrée à l’étude théorique et à la modélisation des conditions d’accord de phase et du gain paramétrique dans des fibres à saut d’indice monomodes en verres fluorés ZBLAN et verres de chalcogénures As2S3 et As2Se3. La nature des résultats obtenus nous a conduit à étudier théoriquement le potentiel de l’accord de phase multimode dans les fibres en verres de chalcogénures. La deuxième partie de ce travail a porté sur la modélisation de l’amplification paramétrique dans des fibres en verres de chalcogénures microstructurées à géométrie hexagonale. Pour ce faire, un modèle simplifié de la propagation dans les fibres microstructurées hexagonales a été développé : le modèle de l’indice effectif de gaine (EIM). Il a ensuite été comparé à une méthode de résolution aux éléments finis. Grâce à cette comparaison, nous avons pu améliorer la précision du modèle EIM en déterminant la valeur de plusieurs paramètres empiriques. Ce modèle nous a alors permis de prédire l’efficacité du processus d’amplification paramétrique dans les fibres microstructurées. L’ensemble de ces études théoriques a permis d’identifier les fibres les plus adaptées à la conversion de fréquence vers la bande 3-5µm. Enfin, nous avons réalisé un banc de mesure de la dispersion chromatique des fibres, ainsi que le dimensionnement d’un convertisseur de fréquence utilisant les fibres identifiées dans l’étude théorique. / Various civil or military applications, such as spectroscopy in the atmospheric transparency windows (3 – 5 µm and 8 – 12 µm ranges), require the use of mid-infrared emitting laser sources.The work presented in this thesis is about light generation in the 3 – 5 µm range by parametric amplification (four-wave mixing) in fluoride and chalcogenide fibers. The first part of the study is devoted to modelizations of phase-matching condition and parametric gain in monomode step-index ZBLAN fluoride fibers as well as As2S3 and As2Se3 chalcogenide fibers. The results obtained in this modelization led to the theoretical study of multimode phase-matching conditions in chalcogenide fibers.The second part of the study presents the modelization of parametric amplification in hexagonal microstructured chalcogenide fibers. A simplified model, called the effective index method (EIM), has been developed and compared to the finite element method. Thanks to this comparison, the accuracy of the EIM model was improved through the determination of several empirical parameters. Using the improved EIM model, we have been able to predict the parametric amplification efficiency in microstructured fibers. Thus, all those theoretical studies allowed us to identify the most adapted fibers for frequency conversion in the 3 – 5 µm range. Eventually, we realized an experimental bench to measure the chromatic dispersion of optical fibers, and we suggested an experimental architecture using the fibers we had indentified in the theoretical study.

Lam Sio Kuan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-116). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Geração de luz supercontínua é um efeito caracterizado por um forte alargamento espectral induzido por efeitos não-lineares no meio óptico, e que encontra uma vasta gama de aplicações, como tomografia por coerência óptica, espectroscopia e metrologia de freqüência. No presente trabalho, os fenômenos físicos responsáveis pela geração de luz supercontínua são estudados teoricamente, utilizando a ferramenta numérica desenvolvida para dar suporte à teoria. Os efeitos de polarização relacionados à geração de luz supercontínua também são analisados e, neste contexto, a utilização de uma fibra de cristal fotônico com formato tipo-D e alta birrefringência é proposta para servir como meio óptico. As características do supercontínuo gerado nesta fibra são analisadas teoricamente, novamente com o apoio da ferramenta numérica. A análise conclui que a fibra proposta apresenta consideráveis vantagens em relação às fibras convencionais, principalmente por ser capaz de manter o estado de polarização da luz supercontínua estável. / Supercontinuum generation is an effect characterized by a strong spectral broadening induced by nonlinear effects in the optical medium. There is a wide range of applications for this effect, such as optical coherence tomography, spectroscopy and frequency metrology. In this work, the physical phenomena responsible for supercontinuum generation are theoretically studied relying on the developed numerical tool to support the theory. The polarization effects related to supercontinuum generation are also assessed and, in this context, a highly birefringent D-shaped photonic crystal fiber is proposed as a medium for supercontinuum generation. The characteristics of supercontinuum generation in the proposed fiber are theoretically analyzed. The analysis concludes that the proposed fiber shows considerable advantages over conventional fibers, mainly due to the capability to keep the state of polarization of the supercontinuum stable.

Nós estudamos experimentalmente e teoricamente Efeitos Transientes em conjugação de Fase por Mistura Degenerada de Quatro ondas em cristais dopados com Cr POT. 3+. Estudamos os efeitos transientes na conjugação de fase em Al IND 2 O IND. 2 : Cr POT. 3+ (Rubi) e GdAl O IND. 3 Cr POT. 3+ (aluminato de gadolíneo) com um laser de Ar POT. + (em =514,5nm). Um novo modelo teórico é apresentado que explica razoavelmente os resultados experimentais cuja compreensão anterior pela literatura era devido somente pela parte absortiva do índice de refração[12] pois em cristais dopados com Cr POT. 3+ (Al IND. 2 O IND. 3: Cr POT. 3+ e GdAl O IND. 3 : Cr POT. 3+ a parte dispersiva do índice de refração não-linear n IND. 2 é pelo menos uma ordem de grandeza maior que a parte absortiva [15,28]. / We have studied experimentally and theoretically Transient Effects in Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing by Phase Conjugation in ion-doped crystals with Cf3+. We have studied transient effects in phase conjugation in Al2O3:Cf3+ (Ruby) and GdAlO3:Cr3+ Gadolinium Aluminate) with an Argon laser (at =514.5nm). A new theoretical model is presented that reasonably explains our experimental results whose understanding in previous papers was due to the imaginary part of the refraction index [12] because in crystals doped with cr3+ (Al2O3:Cr3+ and GdAIO3:Cr3+) the real part of the nonlinear refraction index n2 is at least one order of magnitude greater than the imaginary part [15,28].

Epsilon-near-zero materials are an emerging class of nanophotonic materials which engender electromagnetic field enhancement and small phase variation due to their approximate zero permittivity. These quasi-static fields facilitate a number of unique optical properties such as supercoupling, subwavelength confinement, and enhanced light-matter interactions, which has made epsilon-near-zero media a rapidly expanding field of optical physics. Contemporary methods of realizing a system with zero permittivity rely on microwave cavities/waveguides or complex metal-dielectric metamaterials; however, both techniques require advanced fabrication and their operational wavelength is fixed relative to their geometric and optical parameters. It remains an open and substantial challenge to realize an epsilon-near-zero material at pertinent wavelengths, particularly near- and mid-infrared, with tunable/dynamic properties. The focus of this thesis is the exploration of transparent conducting oxides for the development of epsilon-near-zero nanophotonic phenomena and applications. Transparent conducting oxides have an inherent low permittivity, in addition to simple fabrication and tunable optical properties, making them exceptionally promising. Application of transparent conducting oxide films for highly confined modes, nonlinear/ultrafast optics, and strongly coupled systems are discussed.

<div>Miniaturization of optical components with low power consumption fabricated using a CMOS foundry process can pave the way for dense photonic integrated circuits and on-chip quantum information processing. Optical waveguides, modulators/switches, and single-photon detectors are the key components in any photonic circuits, and miniaturizing them is challenging. This requires strong control of evanescent waves to reduce the cross-talk and bending loss as well as low mode volumes to increase light-matter interaction.</div><div><br></div><div><div>In this thesis, we propose a paradigm shift in light connement strategy using transparent all-dielectric metamaterials. Our approach relies on controlling the optical</div><div>momentum of evanescent waves, an important electromagnetic property overlooked in photonic devices. For practical applications, we experimentally demonstrate</div><div>photonic skin-depth engineering on a silicon chip to conne light and to reduce the cross-talk and bending loss in a dense photonic integrated circuit.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>We demonstrate that due to the strong light connement in the proposed waveguides, it is possible to miniaturize and integrate superconducting nanowire singlephoton detectors (SNSPDs) into a silicon chip. The timing jitter and dark-count</div><div>rate in these miniaturized SNSPDs can be considerably reduced. Here, we propose a theoretical model to understand the fundamental limits of these nanoscale SNSPDs and the trade-off between timing jitter, dark-count, and quantum effciency in these detectors. We propose experimental tests to verify the validity of our model.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Switching/modulating cavity Purcell factor on-chip is challenging, so we have proposed a nonlinear approach to switch Purcell factors in epsilon near zero (ENZ) materials. We demonstrate fourfold change in the Purcell factor with a switching time of 50 fs. The work in this thesis can lead to a unique platform for on-chip quantum nanophotonics.</div></div>

Neste trabalho, estudamos as propriedade ópticas da tetrapiridilporfirina (TPyP), usando clorofórmio como sol vente. Para a caracterização óptica linear foram medidos os espectros de fluorescência e absorbância, tendo este último nos permitido determinar a seção de choque para o estado fundamental com radiação incidente em 532 nm. Usamos a técnica de varredura Z com trem de pulsos (VZTP) para medirmos a absorção não linear da TPyP, em 532 nm, e determinamos, através de um modelo fenomenológico de cinco níveis, vários parâmetros espectroscópicos tais como seções de choques e tempos de vida dos estados. Além disso, com a utilização da técnica de espalhamento hiperRayleigh (HRS) medimos a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade da TPyP, dissolvida em clorofórmio em 1064 nm usando, como material de referência, a p-nitroanilina (PN A), diluída em metanol. / This work reports on the optical properties of the tetrakis(pyridil)porphyrin (TPyP). In order to perform the linear optical characterization, fluorescence and absorbance spectra were obtained, where the latter allowed the determination of the cross-section for the ground state with incident radiation at À = 532 nm. We used the Zscan tecnique with pulse trains (ZSPT) to measure the nonlinear absorption of TPyP, at 532 nm, and we managed to determine, through a phenomenological five levels model, several spectroscopic parameters such as cross-sections and lifetime of the states. Moreover, we measured the first hyperpolarizability of TPyP dissolved in chloroform, at À = 1064 nm, using the Hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) technique. The reference material used for HRS measurements was p-nitroaniline (PNA) dissolved in methanol.

This thesis presents studies on a novel ‘meta-material’ as a potential candidate to replace the traditional Electro-Optic crystals (GaP, ZnTe) used in ultrashort bunch monitors for electron/positron accelerators. This study is aimed at showing the linear and non-linear optical properties of such materials, and creating a toolbox for both optical characterisation and manipulation of their properties using an ultra-short pulsed laser. The material studied throughout this thesis is a composite of silver nanoparticles (a “nanocomposite”) embedded within soda-lime glass. The Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is a feature of these particles that is responsible for its unique optical properties. It is shown in this work how SPR is utilised for shape modification of silver nanoparticles with the use of a ps- pulsed laser with various laser beam polarisations. The impact of linear polarisation irradiation is investigated. It is found that multipulse irradiation has the effect of elongating nanoparticles to form prolate spheroids, which results in a dichroic effect on the composite as a whole, caused by the anisotropic SPR band shift. It is also shown that changing the laser polarisation from linear to radial and/or azimuthal changes the character of the reshaped nanoparticles. It was observed that a localised change of ellipsoid orientation is achieved, resulting in a non-directionally-dependent SPR band shift. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) has been observed from reshaped nanoparticles embedded in soda-lime glass. A comparison of the effect was made between ps-pulsed reshaped, fs-pulsed reshaped and mechanically stretched samples containing silver nanoparticles. Multiphoton Absorption Induced Luminescence (MAIL) was observed along with the SHG and characterised for the various laser polarisation components. The dependence of the aforementioned effects on the elongated nanoparticle aspect ratio was shown to have a great impact. A novel method for reshaped nanoparticles characterisation is presented. It is based on the laser-induced SHG and MAIL signal and is proved to give a precise measurement of the nanoparticle shape and orientation. Frequency Resolved Optical Gating (FROG) measurement of a fs-pulse is measured with great accuracy, in the case where the BBO nonlinear crystal is replaced by the reshaped nanoparticle composite. This was demonstrated to be caused by the anisotropic SHG of the ellipsoidal nanoparticles. Preliminary THz based measurements were performed as a part of a feasibility study of the application of these composites in the EO-based detection of ultrashort electron bunches. Future work is suggested in order to achieve more efficient EO detection.

Il y a actuellement un réel besoin de sources lasers tout solide capables d’émettre un rayonnement cohérent depuis l’infrarouge lointain au térahertz pour des applications variées comme la spectroscopie et la détection de molécules d'intérêt atmosphérique par exemple. La meilleure alternative est l’optique non linéaire paramétrique du second ordre permettant la conversion de fréquence d’un laser monochromatique dans un cristal massif aux propriétés optiques adaptées. Cependant il faut trouver de nouveaux matériaux car ceux déjà identifiés ne donnent pas satisfaction, leur grande faiblesse étant un seuil de dommage optique trop bas pour des applications à haute énergie. Nous sommes en mesure de relever ce défi en combinant depuis peu deux faisceaux complètement indépendants en accordabilité et en polarisation dans un échantillon taillé en forme de sphère ou de cylindre. Ainsi, nous étudions directement la génération de différence de fréquence dans le domaine de transparence du cristal en scannant son espace ou un plan. Il s'agit d'identifier les directions, dîtes d’accord de phase, où la biréfringence compense la dispersion en longueur d’onde des indices de réfraction, mais aussi les rendements de conversion et les acceptances spectrale et angulaires associés. Si des photons issus des deux faisceaux incidents traversent le cristal selon ces directions, des photons de longueur d’onde plus grande sont générés, avec une énergie optimale dont la valeur est d’autant plus élevée que le coefficient non linéaire du cristal est fort. La thèse est dédiée à l’étude de nouveaux cristaux uniques acquis d’équipes étrangères leaders dans leur élaboration. L’objectif visé est la conception de sources de lumière de type Oscillateur Paramétrique Optique (OPO) ou Générateur Paramétrique Optique (OPG) accordables dans l’infrarouge ou le térahertz, plus énergétiques que les sources actuelles. / Nowadays, solid state laser is one way to access the infrared and terahertz light with a good coherence and a high brightness, for broad application prospects like spectroscopy and atmospheric molecules detection. The best way to generate this light is use second order parametric nonlinear optics which allows the frequency conversion of a monochromatic laser through a crystal with appropriate properties. However, the goal is find new materials since a lot of crystals already identified present a too low optical damage threshold for high energy applications. By combining two completely independent tunable and polarized beams in a sample cut as a sphere or a cylinder, we are able to take up the challenge. In this way, we could directly study the difference frequency generation in the whole transparency range by scanning one plane. The principle is to identify not only directions, called phase-matching, where the birefringence compensates the refractive index dispersion but also associated conversion efficiencies and spectral and angular acceptances. When the photons from the two incoming beams get through a crystal in these particular directions, other photons could be generated with higher wavelength and the higher amplitude of the nonlinear coefficient, the stronger the interaction. The PhD is devoted to the study of potential nonlinear crystals acquired thanks to international collaboration with leader group in the material elaboration. The results will enable to perform new parametric light sources like Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) or Optical Parametric Generator (OPG) tunable from infrared up to terahertz as the goal is to enhance the generated energy with respect to actual sources.

by Tong Wai Yin Alex. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 55). / by Tong Wai Yin Alex. / Acknowledgement / Biographical Sketch / Abstract / Table of contents / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Nonlinear Optics in dye-doped solid --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Nonlinear Optics --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Photophysics of dye molecules --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3 --- Nonlinear effect in dye-doped solid --- p.8 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Sol-Gel Silica --- p.11 / Chapter 3.1 --- The formation of dye-doped sol-gel silica --- p.11 / Chapter 3.2 --- The physical properties --- p.15 / Chapter 3.3 --- The optical properties --- p.16 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Saturation Absorption --- p.18 / Chapter 4.1 --- Saturation Absorption in Fluorescein 548 dye-doped solid --- p.18 / Chapter 4.2 --- Experimental Details --- p.19 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.19 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusion --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Optical Phase Conjucation --- p.31 / Chapter 5.1 --- OPC Theory --- p.31 / Chapter 5.11 --- The Distortion Correction Theorem --- p.32 / Chapter 5.12 --- The Proof of the Distortion Theorem --- p.32 / Chapter 5.13 --- The generation of Phase Conjucate Waves --- p.34 / Chapter 5.2 --- Degenerate Four Wave Mixing --- p.35 / Chapter 5.21 --- Geometries of DFWM --- p.35 / Chapter 5.22 --- DFWM Theory --- p.37 / Chapter 5.23 --- DFWM in Absorbing Media --- p.40 / Chapter 5.3 --- Experimental Details --- p.44 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results and Discussion --- p.46 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion and Suggestions for future work --- p.54 / Reference