Abstract

Pattern formation is a universal phenomenon in nonlinear optics. The coupling of diffraction with an optical nonlinearity often leads to stationary or dynamical patterns, i.e., inhomogeneous outputs. Typical hydrodynamical patterns such as hexagons, rolls and targets have been predicted and observed in systems as different as Kerr slices,¹ optical parametric oscillators,² and lasers.³ Nonlinear optical systems belong to the same universality class as fluids, oscillatory chemical reactions and some biological systems. The nature of the interaction between light and matter, however, enhances or suppresses some spatio-temporal features with respect to other belonging to the same universality class. It is the aim of this presentation to review some of these analogies and some of the peculiarities of pattern formation in nonlinear optics.

© 1994 IEEE