Negative-index metamaterials: second-harmonic generation, Manley–Rowe relations and parametric amplification

Second harmonic generation and optical parametric amplification in negative-index metamaterials (NIMs) are studied. The opposite directions of the wave vector and the Poynting vector in NIMs results in a “backward” phasematching condition, causing significant changes in the Manley– Rowe relations and spatial distributions of the coupled field intensities. It is shown that absorption in NIMs can be compensated by backward optical parametric amplification. The possibility of distributed-feedback parametric oscillation with no cavity has been demonstrated. The feasibility of the generation of entangled pairs of leftand right-handed counter-propagating photons is discussed. PACS 78.67.-n; 42.65.Ky; 42.65.Lm