arXiv subjects

Daniele Faccio

Publications and source records attributed to Daniele Faccio.

119 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Counter-propagating frequency mixing with Terahertz waves in diamond

Frequency conversion by means of Kerr-nonlinearity is one of the most common and exploited nonlinear optical processes in the UV, visible, IR and Mid-IR spectral regions. Here we show that wave mixing of an optical field and a Terahertz wave can be achieved in diamond, resulting in the frequency conversion of the THz radiation either by sum- or difference-frequency generation. In the latter case, we show that this process is phase-matched and most efficient in a counter-propagating geometry.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Optical black hole lasers

Using numerical simulations we show how to realise an optical black hole laser, i.e. an amplifier formed by travelling refractive index perturbations arranged so as to trap light between a white and a black hole horizon. The simulations highlight the main features of these lasers: the growth inside the cavity of positive and negative frequency modes accompanied by a weaker emission of modes that occurs in periodic bursts corresponding to the cavity round trips of the trapped modes. We then highlight a new regime in which the trapped mode spectra broaden until the zero-frequency points on the dispersion curve are reached. Amplification at the horizon is highest for zero-frequencies, therefore leading to a strong modification of the structure of the trapped light. For sufficiently long propagation times, lasing ensues only at the zero-frequency modes.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Scaling mechanism for efficient wavelength conversion in laser plasmas

Laser-induced ionization is a fundamental tool for the frequency conversion of lasers into spectral regions so far inaccessible, including both extreme ultraviolet and terahertz. The low-frequency currents induced by laser-driven ionization generate extremely broadband, single-cycle terahertz pulses, with applications ranging from remote sensing to optical pulse diagnostic, yet strong limitations arise from the low conversion efficiencies of this mechanism. We show a remarkable increase of the radiated terahertz energy with the laser wavelength and we relate this observation to the stronger action of long-wavelength fields on ionization-induced free-carriers. Ultimately, the use of mid-infrared pulses instead of the near-infrared ones employed so far enables the unprecedented table-top generation of the extremely high terahertz fields (>4 MV/cm) required for, e.g. the optical manipulation of quantum states, attosecond pulse synthesis and time-resolved studies of ultrafast electron dynamics. Furthermore, such high fields allowed us to perform space-time resolved terahertz diagnostics exploiting standard optical components.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2011

Dynamical Casimir Effect in Optically Modulated Cavities

Cavities with periodically oscillating mirrors have been predicted to excite photon pairs out of the quantum vacuum in a process known as the Dynamical Casimir effect. Here we propose and analyse an experimental layout that can provide an efficient modulation of the effective optical length of a cavity mode in the near-infrared spectral region. An analytical model of the dynamical Casimir emission is developed and compared to the predictions of a direct numerical solution of Maxwell's equations in real time. A sizeable intensity of dynamical Casimir emission is anticipated for realistic operating parameters. In the presence of an external coherent seed beam, we predict amplification of the seed beam and the appearance of an additional phase-conjugate beam as a consequence of stimulated dynamical Casimir processes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2009

Quasi phase matching for high order harmonic generation induced by the carrier-envelope phase

We report a novel quasi-phase matching technique for high-order harmonic generation in low-density gases. Numerical simulations show that in few-optical cycle pulsed Bessel beams it is possible to control the pulse envelope and phase velocities which in turn allows to control the carrier-envelope phase during propagation. The resulting oscillations in the peak intensity allow to phase-match the high-order harmonic generation process with a nearly two decade enhancement in the XUV power spectrum.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2009

Spatiotemporal Amplitude and Phase Retrieval of Bessel-X pulses using a Hartmann-Shack Sensor

We propose a new experimental technique, which allows for a complete characterization of ultrashort optical pulses both in space and in time. Combining the well-known Frequency-Resolved-Optical-Gating technique for the retrieval of the temporal profile of the pulse with a measurement of the near-field made with an Hartmann-Shack sensor, we are able to retrieve the spatiotemporal amplitude and phase profile of a Bessel-X pulse. By following the pulse evolution along the propagation direction we highlight the superluminal propagation of the pulse peak.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2006

Collapse-driven spatiotemporal dynamics of filament formation

The transition from spatial to spatiotemporal dynamics in Kerr-driven beam collapse is modelled as the instability of the Townes profile. Coupled axial and conical radiation, temporal splitting and X waves appear as the effect of Y-shaped unstable modes, whose growth is experimentally detected.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2006

A revisitation of the 1888 H.Hertz experiment

We propose a revisitation of the original experiment performed by H. Hertz in 1888. With a simple setup it is possible to produce electromagnetic waves with a frequency in the range of 3 MHz. By performing Fourier analysis of the signal captured by a resonant antenna it is possible to study the behaviour of the RLC series circuit, frequency splitting of coupled resonances and finally the characteristics of the near-field emitted by the loop antenna.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2005

Conical emission, pulse splitting and X-wave parametric amplification in nonlinear dynamics of ultrashort light pulses

The precise observation of the angle-frequency spectrum of light filaments in water reveals a scenario incompatible with current models of conical emission (CE). Its description in terms of linear X-wave modes leads us to understand filamentation dynamics requiring a phase- and group-matched, Kerr-driven four-wave-mixing process that involves two highly localized pumps and two X-waves. CE and temporal splitting arise naturally as two manifestations of this process.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2004

Non-linear unbalanced Bessel beams: Stationary conical waves supported by nonlinear losses

Nonlinear losses accompanying Kerr self-focusing substantially impacts the dynamic balance of diffraction and nonlinearity, permitting the existence of localized and stationary solutions of the 2D+1 nonlinear Schrodinger equation which are stable against radial collapse. These are featured by linear conical tails that continually refill the nonlinear, central spot. An experiment shows that the discovered solution behaves as strong attractor for the self-focusing dynamics in Kerr media.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2004

Far-field spectral characterization of conical emission and filamentation in Kerr media

By use of an imaging spectrometer we map the far-field ($θ-λ$) spectra of 200 fs optical pulses that have undergone beam collapse and filamentation in a Kerr medium. By studying the evolution of the spectra with increasing input power and using a model based on stationary linear asymptotic wave modes, we are able to trace a consistent model of optical beam collapse high-lighting the interplay between conical emission, multiple pulse splitting and other effects such as spatial chirp.

physics.optics↗