Ellipse rotation studies in laser host materials

Using a TEM00qnear Gaussian mode ruby laser system we report the first experimental measurements of intensity induced changes of optical polarization (ellipse rotation) in a cubic crystalline medium, YAG, for which we obtain the nonlinear susceptibilities ESU and ESU, accurate to better than ±7 percent relative to for liquid CS2. These values are compared with further results obtained for fused quartz and two laser glasses. Moreover, by time resolving the ellipse rotation data we demonstrate the capability to plot ellipse rotation versus input power on a single laser shot, thus increasing the practical feasibility of the technique and introducing the possibility of resolving transient contributions to the measurement.