Historical Reminiscences About Nonlinear Optical Talk Materials

Abstract

The birth of nonlinear optics is generally identified with the 1961 experiment of Peter Franken and coworkers on the second harmonic generation of light by passage of a ruby laser pulse through a quartz crystal. In quick succession, the ruby laser led to the discovery of many nonlinear optical phenomena. The history of nonlinear optics during the years 1961-1963 will be reviewed. The significance of the early nonlinear optical materials will be illustrated with some personal anecdotes. Attention will also be given to nonlinear optical phenomena before the year 1960. This prehistory of nonlinear optics includes the Pockels effect, the photo-electric effect and Kerr-cell light modulators and shutters, as well as many nonlinear precursors in the field of magnetic resonance.