Abstract

Whereas the linear optical properties of clusters and particles with restricted geometry have been investigated in detail for many decades, the nonlinear optical behavior, e.g., second-harmonic generation (SHG), of these systems has only recently found increasing interest. The motivation of such studies is based on variety of reasons, an essential one being the variation of the electronic structure and therefore the susceptibilities as a function of particle size. Possible applications include, for example, efficient frequency conversion of light and the use of SHG to monitor catalytic reactions on the surface of metal clusters.

© 1996 Optical Society of America