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Ultrafast Nanophotonics Group
Group Leader: Alan D. Bristow

Nonlinear Optics

THz generation by optical rectification in Zinc Germanium Diphosphide measured by time-domain electro-optic sampling. The inset shows the power transform to frequency comparing the result to GaAs.

Nonlinear optics is integral part of our groups research portfolio because it is essential to ultrafast light-matter interactions, providing new tools such as frequency conversion and novel mechanisms to control light through its interaction with matter and vice versa. We have explored the nonlinear optical coefficients in industry critical media, such as silicon, and generation of terahertz radiation through optical rectification in highly nonlinear crystals, such as ZnGeP 2 and other chalcopyrite structures, in collaboration with BAE Systems. We have also examined novel materials for higher-order nonlinear effects. Finally, we have used the terahertz radiation to explore materials' transport properties of solids.