Measurements of Poisson's field using electo-optic Kerr effect

In this paper, to quantitatively examine the measurement capability of Poisson's field using electro-optic Kerr-effect (EOKE), Kerr constants of neutral molecules and ions were examined. Kerr constants are determined by dipole moment, polarizability, and hyperpolarizability of molecules. Since these values are fundamentally quantum mechanical, computations was done by means of first principle quantum chemistry methods. The computed Kerr constants for neutral molecules (N2, CO2, SF6 and CF3I) were within 50% error of the experimental values, comparable to the scattering between experimental values itself. The results showed that SF6 has smaller Kerr constants compared to those of N2 and CO2 due to its high molecular symmetry. In contrast, CF3I has higher Kerr constant due to its permanent…