Optical harmonic generation and mixing in multilayer media: analysis using optical transfer matrix techniques

Optical harmonic generation from a multilayer sample consisting of an arbitrary number of parallel slabs of arbitrary thicknesses can be treated exactly (in the limit where the nonlinear depletion of the pump beam can be neglected) by using a transfer matrix technique. This approach is described, and the results are given in a computationally convenient form. The technique is illustrated by application to a typical case.