SURFACE EMITTED HARMONIC GENERATION FOR SENSOR AND DISPLAY APPLICATIONS

We review briefly some of the basic principles involved in quasi-phase matched multilayer semiconductor films for second-harmonic generation in waveguided, reflection and intra-cavity geometries. New applications in optical ranging for length, temperature, deformation sensors, real time optical reflectometry and vertical cavity second-harmonic generation for displays are presented. The enhancement of quasi-phase matched second-harmonic generation in vertical cavity Fabry-Perot structures is also investigated. When the optimal quasi-phase matching conditions are satisfied in the Fabry-Perot core, the second-harmonic conversion efficiency of a 4 mu m thick cavity is enhanced by 1.75 x 10(6) relative to a homogeneous GaAs slab. This geometry is most suitable for intracavity harmonic generation in vertical cavity surface emitting lasers.