Non-linear optical properties of semiconductors

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The non-linear optical properties of semiconductors are reviewed. Examples are given of optical non-linearities which are connected with real or virtual excitations in the electronic system of a semiconductor, and others which are due to photothermal effects. Also included are some aspects of electro-optics, and the authors show how the various types of optical non-linearities can be used to build optically bistable memories, modulators, switches or oscillators. The materials they consider are bulk samples, quantum wells and quantum dots of II-VI and III-V compounds with a brief mention of organic dyes.