Beam combining using orientational stimulated scattering in liquid crystals

The possibility of beam combining and cleanup using orientational stimulated scattering in a nematic liquid crystal is considered. We numerically study the dynamics of the process and find that backconversion process tends to limit the effective interaction strength. The instability of the steady state of cross-phase modulation is demonstrated, during which both waves have the same frequency. We show that high conversion efficiency can be achieved and that the shape and wavefront of the amplified output signal are robust with respect to the amplitude and phase distortions of the input pump. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America (c) 2005 Optical Society of Americ