parametric processes

Synonym: optical parametric processes

Interaction of photons in a non-linear medium satisfying the energy and momentum conservation laws. During the interaction the photon frequencies are mixed and photon(s) with different frequencies are created.
Note:
Optical parametric processes of three interacting beams, called frequency mixing processes, are: second-harmonic generation (SHG), sum-frequency generation (SFG), difference-frequency generation (DFG), optical parametric generation and amplification (OPG and OPA), and optical parametric oscillation (OPO).
Source:
PAC, 2007, 79, 293 (Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006)) on page 381