Optically-induced second-order nonlinear optical effect in polyvinyl alcohol photopolymers

IR induced picosecond nonlinear optical effects in polyvinyl alcohol photopolymer is investigated. The second harmonic generation (SHG) is studied versus the pump power and delaying time between the pump and probing beam (λ=1.55 and 1.32 μm, respectively). The phenomena are explained within a framework of fifth-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities. An explanation of the observed dependences is given within a framework of photostimulated vibrations, which enhance acentric electron–phonon anharmonicity. Temperature dependences of the observed phenomena fully confirm the electron–phonon anharmonic origin of the observed effect.