Bistability, limiting, and self-pulsing in backward second-harmonic generation: a time-domain approach

Abstract

We investigate backward second-harmonic generation in short-period quasi-phase-matched gratings by means of a finite-difference time-domain method adapted to modelling dispersive nonlinear propagation in the one-dimensional quasi-scalar approximation. Particular emphasis is placed on instability phenomena, encompassing bistability, limiting (frustrated bistability), and self-pulsing. We check the behaviour of the frequency conversion process against the prediction of the coupled-mode theory.