Total reflection, frequency, and velocity tuning in optical pulse collision in nonlinear dispersive media

Abstract

The total internal reflection of a weak signal pulse from a powerful reference pulse at another frequency in a dispersive nonlinear medium is demonstrated. As a result of the two-wave collision, the signal pulse changes its frequency and group velocity, and time delay occurs. We develop both a wave and a pulse-tracing theory of the total reflection from the moving inhomogeneity induced by the optical pulse. An analytical expression for the critical value of group-velocity mismatch as a function of pump intensity and the group-velocity dispersion are obtained. The possibility of signal pulse reflection from a bright soliton in a cubic medium is considered.