Abstract

The thermal diffusivity D is an important consideration when second harmonic generation is needed from a high-energy laser source. Optical absorption causes self-heating and temperature gradients to occur in the second harmonic generator. The resulting change in temperature is detrimental to the phase-matching condition. We demonstrate that an all-optical interferometer can be used to measure directly the thermal diffusivity of nonlinear materials by measuring optical path differences only.¹

© 1988 Optical Society of America