<title>Photonic crystals in nonlinear and ultrafast optics</title>

Abstract

This lecture gives a general overview of new possibilities offered by photonic crystals in nonlinear and ultrafast optics. The abilities of photonic band-gap (PBG) structures to guide and localize light, phase-match nonlinear interactions, and chirp, compress, and switch laser pulses are discussed. Several types of PBG structures allowing photonic band gaps to be produced in one and two dimensions are considered. In particular, the properties of a hollow corrugated planar waveguide formed by a diffraction grating and a mirror are examined and possible applications of such optical components combining the dispersion of a gas, a waveguide, and a PBG structure are discussed. Holey fibers are shown to substantially enhance nonlinear-optical interactions, increasing the efficiency of spectral broadening of short laser pulses and opening new horizons in optical frequency metrology.