Linear electro-optic effect in optically active liquids

A linear effect of an electrostatic field F on the intensity of sum- and difference-frequency generation in a chiral liquid is predicted. It arises in the electric dipole approximation. The effect changes sign with the enantiomer and on reversing the direction of the electrostatic field. The sum-frequency generator χ(2)αβγ(−ω3;ω1,ω2), where ω3=ω1+ω2, and the electric field-induced sum-frequency generator χ(3)αβγδ(−ω3;ω1,ω2,0)Fδ interfere and their contributions to the scattering power can tinguished. Encouraging predictions are given for a typical experimental arrangement.