Nonlinear optics has triggered the evolution of modern optics, yielding discoveries of important phenomena, deep understandings of fundamental optical effects and, moreover, serving as a source for a large variety of applications. Nonlinear optical interactions are relatively weak but can be significantly enhanced using various approaches. Generally, nonlinear optical phenomena are proportional to higher orders of the driving field, motivating the quest for local electromagnetic field enhancement for which various nanostructures have been proven to be beneficial. In particular, noble metals with negative permittivity at optical and infrared wavelengths can support the so-called surface plasmon modes with the deep-subwavelength localization of the electromagnetic energy, overcoming the conventional diffraction limit and leading to the field enhancement effects. Plasmonic nanostructures are perfect candidates for the realization of various concepts for the enhancement of nonlinear effects.
In this talk, we will overview nonlinear plasmonic effects due to intrinsic, hydrodynamic metal nonlinearity, enhanced by sub-wavelength field confinement and interaction between plasmonic resonances. In particular, harmonic generation, solitonic effects and Kerrnonlinearity-induced switching will be discussed. In addition to conventional intensity and phase modulations, active control of light polarization, presenting an important alternative, will be demonstrated.
In this talk, we will overview nonlinear plasmonic effects due to intrinsic, hydrodynamic metal nonlinearity, enhanced by sub-wavelength field confinement and interaction between plasmonic resonances. In particular, harmonic generation, solitonic effects and Kerrnonlinearity-induced switching will be discussed. In addition to conventional intensity and phase modulations, active control of light polarization, presenting an important alternative, will be demonstrated.