Khurgin, J. B., Clerici, M. and Kinsey, N. (2021) Fast and slow nonlinearities in Epsilon‐Near‐Zero materials. Laser and Photonics Reviews, 15(2), 2000291. (doi: 10.1002/lpor.202000291)
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Abstract
Novel materials, with enhanced light–matter interaction capabilities, play an essential role in achieving the lofty goals of nonlinear optics. Recently, epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) media have emerged as a promising candidate to enable the enhancement of several nonlinear processes including refractive index modulation and harmonic generation. Here, the optical nonlinearity of ENZ media is analyzed to clarify the commonalities with other nonlinear media and its unique properties. Transparent conducting oxides as the family of ENZ media with near‐zero permittivity in the near‐infrared (telecom) band are focused on. The instantaneous and delayed nonlinearities are investigated. By identifying their common origin from the band nonparabolicity, it is shown that their relative strength is entirely determined by a ratio of the energy and momentum relaxation (or dephasing) times. Using this framework, ENZ materials are compared against the many promising nonlinear media that are investigated in literature and show that while ENZ materials do not radically outpace the strength of traditional materials in either the fast or slow nonlinearity, they pack key advantages such as an ideal response time, intrinsic slow light enhancement, and broadband nature in a compact platform making them a valuable tool for ultrafast photonics applications for decades to come.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Clerici, Professor Matteo |
| Authors: | Khurgin, J. B., Clerici, M., and Kinsey, N. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering |
| Journal Name: | Laser and Photonics Reviews |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| ISSN: | 1863-8880 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1863-8899 |
| Published Online: | 28 December 2020 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Laser and Photonics Reviews 15(2): 2000291 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
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