Abstract

A physical mechanism by which one optical pulse can redirect a second optical pulse within a densely packed array geometry is an important component for parallel optical processing systems. We computationally model such a mechanism through the action of a strong pump pulse on a weaker signal pulse as they copropagate through a nonlinear medium. By shaping the pump pulse to have a spatial intensity profile that varies transverse to the direction of propagation, we induce the desired effect. Proper design of the spatial intensity gradient can, via the optical Kerr effect, create a transient gradient-index lens that will copropagate with the signal pulse. The induced lens deflects the signal pulse in a manner that can be controlled by adjusting the properties of the transverse spatial gradient. To a first-order approximation, considering solely an induced lens characterized by a parabolic spatial intensity profile, a maximum change in index of refraction for the nonlinear medium of 10^-4, and a ratio of medium thickness to pump pulse half-width equal to 10 can produce a deflection of 10^-3 rad; the deflection angle strongly increases with material thickness.

© 1991 Optical Society of America