Time domain separation of the nuclear and electronic contributions to the third order nonlinearity in glasses

Abstract

The electronic and nuclear contributions to the third order nonlinearity of glasses are separated using 100 fs pulses with a time-resolved heterodyne optical Kerr effect technique. The time evolution of the nuclear contribution is in very good agreement with results deduced from the Raman spectra. A direct estimate of the relative strengths of electronic and nuclear contributions is made. The ratio between the two response function is ∼5/1 in Tellurium oxide glass sample. The validity of our method to separate these two contributions has been confirmed in different glasses.