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Nonlinear Optics
Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:21
Abstract
"Nonlinear Optics" deals with the interaction of light with matter. I.e. the response of insulators, metals, semiconductors or metamaterials to light and the mathematical framework (classical and quantum mechanical) to describe the phenomena.
Objective
Important nonlinear optical phenomena are understood and can be classified. The effects can be described mathematically by means of the susceptibility and other material paramters. Particpants will be able to design and invent novel photonic, plasmonic or quantum devices and exploit them for applications in communications, sensing, medical or quantum applications.
Content
This lecture is taught as a fundamental lecture that both phenomenologically as well as rigorously deals with the most important optical phenomena. It is a foundational lecture for people working in the field of optics and photonics. The lecture will cover and convey insights into optical phenomena such as the - refractive index - the electro-optic effect, - rectification, - harmonic generation, - Four wave mixing (FWM) - self-phase and cross-phase modulation (the optical and electrical Kerr effect) - soliton propagation, - metamaterial phenomena - Rayleigh- Mie- or geometric scattering - ... The content is organized as follows: Chapter 1: The Wave Equations in Nonlinear Optics Chapter 2: Nonlinear Effects - An Overview Chapter 3: The Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility - Classical and Quantummechanical Derivations Chapter 4: Second Harmonic Generation Chapter 5: The Electro-Optic Effect and the Electro-Optic Modulator Chapter 6: Acousto-Optic Effect Chapter 7: Nonlinear Effects of Third Order Chapter 8: Nonlinear Effects in Media with Gain
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture notes are distributed. For students enrolled in the course, additional information, lecture notes and exercises can be found on moodle (https://moodle-app2.let.ethz.ch/).
Literature
Book recommendations are given in the lecture notes.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Nonlinear Optics |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Nonlinear Optics |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed. All courses listed as core courses (not electives) for one of the following ETH MSc programmes, MSc Statistics, MSc Physics, MSc Computer Science, MSc (Applied) Mathematics, MSc Neural Systems and Computation, MSc Robotics, Systems, and Control, MSc Data Science, MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, can be taken as an elective course in the MSc CSE without prior permission.)
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Track: Electronics and Photonics (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Electronics and Photonics", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
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Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Electronics and Photonics". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
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General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))
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Electives (This is a selection of courses particularly suitable for the MSc QE. In agreement with the tutor, students may choose other courses from the ETH course catalogue.)
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