The course gives an introduction to nonlinear optics – the branch of optics that studies the interaction of intense laser light with matter. The lectures focus mainly on classical topics (e.g., second-harmonic generation, optical parametric oscillation, third-order nonlinear processes, optical solitons, Raman and Brillouin scattering) with strong emphasis on the fundamental aspects. Also, the course briefly introduces basic approaches for describing light-matter interaction. Finally, a brief discussion of the nonlinear optical phenomena from a quantum perspective is provided.

Acquired skills: Students should be able to understand scientific papers on the field of nonlinear optics and continue to perform their own research.

Outline:

1. Electric field and polarization
2. Wave-equation description of nonlinear optical interactions
3. Second-order nonlinear processes
4. The intensity-dependent refractive index
5. Four-wave mixing
6. Propagation of light pulses, self-phase modulation
7. Optical solitons
8. Atom-photon interactions
9. Raman and Brillouin scattering
10. Quantum nonlinear optics