Spatial modulation of second-harmonic generation via nonlinear Raman–Nath diffraction in an aperiodically poled lithium tantalite

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a colorful nonlinear Raman-Nath second-harmonic generation by engineering the quadratic nonlinearity χ((2)) in an aperiodically poled lithium tantalite. The engineered nonlinear structure allows multicolored Raman-Nath second-harmonic signal outputs along a uniform direction, which cannot be achieved in a uniform nonlinear grating. The diffraction angles are independent of the beam waist and the position of incidence. This verifies that nonlinear Raman-Nath diffraction does not depend on the local superlattice structure where the fundamental frequency beam locates, but on the whole nonlinear χ((2)) crystal.