My research treats nonlinear optics within the broader context of general wave physics. For example, my group is developing an optical hydrodynamics in which the nonlinear propagation of light is described in terms of fluid flow. The new language allows optical modeling and observation of material behavior that is difficult, if not impossible, to see by other means. It also provides a framework for the discovery of new photonic effects.

More recently, we have introduced spatial nonlinearity as a new degree of freedom for imaging.  This allows wave dynamics to be used for signal processing (in conjunction with computational techniques, such as digital holography) and gives effects that run counter to intuition from linear optics. Examples include sharper pictures from defocused waves, super-resolution techniques based on image distortions, and the improvement of signal detection by adding noise.

 

Highlights

Hydrodynamics of light                       Using noise to improve signals

Condensation of classical waves          Computational imaging with nonlinearity

Improving solar cells
through mechanics

 

© Jason W. Fleischer, Princeton University

Page last updated on May15, 2012