Transverse patterns in degenerate optical parametric oscillation and degenerate four-wave mixing

Transverse pattern formation in both degenerate optical parametric oscillation and degenerate four-wave mixing is considered both theoretically and numerically. In the limit of small signal detuning both systems are shown to be described by the real Swift-Hohenberg equation. Contrarily, for small signal and large pump detunings the Swift-Hohenberg equation is modified differently in both systems, by the appearance of additional nonlinear terms, which signal the existence of nonlinear resonances that are theoretically studied through the derivation of the amplitude equation for the roll pattern in both systems. Numerical analysis supports the theoretical predictions. © 1996 The American Physical Society.