Kerr effect of molecular oxygen at λ = 1064 nm : Experiment and theory

• Published in: The European physical journal. D, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics Atomic, molecular, and optical physics, 2005-12, Vol.36 (3), p.261-269
• Main Authors: BIELSA, F, BATTESTI, R, ROBILLIARD, C, BIALOLENKER, G, BAILLY, G, TRENEC, G, RIZZO, A, RIZZO, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic and molecular physics; Birefringence; Condensed Matter; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Molecular properties and interactions with photons; Optical activity and dichroism; magnetooptical and electrooptical spectra; Optics; Other magnetooptical and electrooptical effects; Physics; Superconductivity; Wave optics
• ISSN: 1434-6060; 1434-6079
• DOI: 10.1140/epjd/e2005-00243-1

We report a new measurement of the Kerr effect of molecular oxygen at λ= 1064 nm. The experimental value reported for the anisotropy of the index of refraction Δ nu l, (3.15±0.85)×10-25 m2 V-2 atm-1, is in good agreement with the value of 3.4×10-25 m2 V-2 atm-1 obtained via an ab initio calculation. We show that the dependence of the effect on the pressure is not linear because of the presence of a collision-induced absorption band around 1060 nm due to the transition from the X3 Σ- g ground state to the 1Δg state. We also give the value of the quadratic anisotropy Δnu q (-1.03±0.68)×10-25 m2 V-2 atm-2. We finally compare our ab initio theoretical and experimental results with previous existing data.