Non-linear Young's double-slit experiment.
The Young's double slit experiment is recreated using intense and short laser pulses. Our experiment evidences the role of the non-linear Kerr effect in the formation of interference patterns. In particular, our results evidence a mixed mechanism in which the zeroth diffraction order of each slit are mainly affected by self-focusing and self-phase modulation, while the higher orders propagate linearly. Despite of the complexity of the general problem of non-linear propagation, we demonstrate that this experiment retains its simplicity and allows for a geometrical interpretation in terms of simple optical paths. In consequence, our results may provide key ideas on experiments on the formation of interference patterns with intense laser fields in Kerr media.
San Roman
Julio
J
Ruiz
Camilo
C
Perez
Jose Antonio
JA
Delgado
Diego
D
Mendez
Cruz
C
Plaja
Luis
L
Roso
Luis
L