Nonlinear refractive index measurement by SPM-induced phase regression.

ABSTRACT

Herewith, we describe how intensity and phase of the ultrashort pulse retrieved with second-harmonic frequency-resolved optical gating (SHG FROG) can be utilized for measurement of the nonlinear refractive index (n 2). Through comparison with available literature, we show that our method surpasses Z-scan in terms of precision by a factor of two, and thus, constitutes an interesting alternative. We present results for various materials fused silica, calcite, YVO 4, BiBO, CaF 2, and YAG at 1030 nm. Unlike the Z-scan, the use of this method is not restricted to free-space geometry, but due to its characteristics, it can be used in integrated waveguides or photonic crystal fibers as well.