Abstract

Four-photon mixing processes in optical fibers provide a versatile source for frequency conversion and parametric amplification of lightwaves. In single-mode fibers, phase matching may be controlled by the birefringence of orthogonally polarized modes.¹ Whenever intense picosecond pulses are involved in the process, the spectral and temporal characteristics of the emitted radiation exhibit a complex behavior due to the nonlinear nature of the dynamic interaction. We present a fully nonlinear model of polarized light scattering in fibers, including transient contributions to the nonlinear response or Raman scattering. Instabilities may result in the polarization and intensity of the waves, leading to pump power dependent shifts or growth of both immediate² and higher-order parametric sidebands.

© 1989 Optical Society of America