DC Kerr coefficient of silica: theory and experiment

Alice C. Liu; Michel J. F. Digonnet; Gordon S. Kino

doi:10.1117/12.333764

21 December 1998 DC Kerr coefficient of silica: theory and experiment

Alice C. Liu, Michel J. F. Digonnet, Gordon S. Kino

Proceedings Volume 3542, Doped Fiber Devices II; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.333764
Event: Photonics East (ISAM, VVDC, IEMB), 1998, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

We report the first measurement of the frequency and polarization dependence of the low-frequency third-order nonlinear susceptibility (chi) ⁽³)(-(omega) ;(omega) ,0,0) of silica. In the frequency range tested (0.5 - 19 MHz), we observed sharp resonances with a complex dependence on polarization. Observations are quantitatively well explained by a theoretical model that assumes the presence of two contributions to (chi) ⁽³), namely the Kerr effect and electrostriction. The model shows that our measurements are consistent with (1) a DC Kerr constant of 1.9 X 10^-22 m²/V² with a 3:1 polarization dependence, comparable to the Kerr constant at optical frequencies, and (2) an electrostriction modulation that is greatly enhanced by mechanical resonances of the sample and exhibits a polarization dependence of 2.3:1, in agreement with an elasto-optic model. This work suggests new means of producing a low-voltage, high-frequency phase modulator by operating at a fundamental resonance of the structure. It also lends credence to the general belief that DC rectification does not fully account for the large second- order nonlinearity that occurs in poled silica.

Citation Download Citation

Alice C. Liu, Michel J. F. Digonnet, and Gordon S. Kino "DC Kerr coefficient of silica: theory and experiment", Proc. SPIE 3542, Doped Fiber Devices II, (21 December 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.333764

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available