FDTD MAXWELLS EQUATIONS MODELS FOR NONLINEAR ELECTRODYNAMICS AND OPTICS

This paper summarizes algorithms which extend the finite-difference ti me-domain (FDTD) solution of Maxwell's equations to nonlinear optics, The use of FDTD in this field is novel, Previous modeling approaches w ere aimed at modeling optical-wave propagation in electrically long st ructures such as fibers and directional couplers, wherein the primary Row of energy is along a single principal direction, However, FDTD is aimed at modeling compact structures having energy Row in arbitrary di rections. Relative to previous methods, FDTD achieves robustness by di rectly solving, for fundamental quantities, the optical E and H fields in space and time rather than performing asymptotic analyses or assum ing paraxial propagation and nonphysical envelope functions, As a resu lt, it is almost completely general, It permits accurate modeling of a broad variety of dispersive and nonlinear media used in emerging tech nologies such as micron-sized lasers and optical switches.