Resonant nonlinear optics of backward waves in negative-index metamaterials

TL;DR

This paper explores the unique nonlinear optical phenomena in negative-index metamaterials, demonstrating potential applications like quantum control, filtering, and entangled wave generation through resonant four-wave mixing of backward waves.

Contribution

It introduces the feasibility of independently engineering negative refractive index and nonlinear response, enabling advanced quantum and nonlinear optical functionalities in metamaterials.

Findings

Demonstrated quantum control of nonlinear propagation

Proposed applications in filtering and entangled wave generation

Showed feasibility of independent engineering of properties

Abstract

The extraordinary properties of resonant four-wave mixing of backward waves in doped negative-index materials are investigated. The feasibility of independent engineering of negative refractive index and nonlinear optical response as well as quantum control of the nonlinear propagation process in such composites is shown due to the coherent energy transfer from the control to the signal field. Laser-induced transparency, quantum switching, frequency-tunable narrow-band filtering, amplification, and realizing a miniature mirrorless optical parametric generator of the entangled backward and ordinary waves are among the possible applications of the investigated processes.