Giant optical non-linearities of critical micro-emulsions

E. Freysz , M. Afifi , A. Ducasse , B. Pouligny , J.R. Lalanne

Self-focusing of a cw laser beam in a micro-emulsion has been demonstrated and analysed. Giant optical non-linearities of this novel non-linear medium are reported. The non-linear index n2 deduced from the threshold power for self-focusing is found to increase divergently when approaching a critical point (n 2 ≳ 10-8 cm2 W-1). This divergence is related to the critical behaviour of the osmotic compressibility of the medium.

Mots clés: emulsions; optical self focusing; osmosis; critical microemulsions; giant optical nonlinearities; self focusing threshold power; CW laser beam; nonlinear index; critical divergence; electrostriction; osmotic compressibility

Domaines: Articles anciens

E. Freysz, M. Afifi, A. Ducasse, B. Pouligny, J.R. Lalanne. Giant optical non-linearities of critical micro-emulsions. Journal de Physique Lettres, 1985, 46 (5), pp.181-187. ⟨10.1051/jphyslet:01985004605018100⟩. ⟨jpa-00232497⟩