Geometric Optics Theory of Parametric Image Upconversion

Abstract

This paper describes a general geometric optics theory of visible or near-visible image formation in parametric upconversion. A formula is derived that relates the location of the image to the locations of the object and the pump. Aberrations are caused by the finite thickness of the nonlinear material; these aberrations vanish when both the pump waves and the object waves are parallel plane waves. The primary factor that limits the field of view of parametric image upconversion is the phase-match condition.