Small computer-based system for determination of second- and third-order optical nonlinearities

Abstract

An apparatus is described which has been designed for the purpose of measuring second- and third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities of electronic character. The optical power derives from a Q-switched Nd 3+/YAG laser which through a variety of frequency converters allows thorough characterization in the spectral window between the high vibrational states in the near infrared and the low electronic transitions in the visible or near UV. Data collection, treatment, and analysis are performed by a small computer/controller. As example of the potentiality of the apparatus the observation of multiple cascading in summation third-order wave mixing by crystalline quartz is reported.