Optically induced Kerr constants for a homologous series of Alk-1-enes and three alkadienes

Abstract

Measurements are reported of the laser-induced Kerr effect for the homologous series of alk-1-enes up to the icosene member. The effect was induced with the electric vector of an Nd : YAG laser beam, pulsed in the nanosecond timescale and operating at either 1064 nm or 532 nm wavelength. On average, values for 532 nm wavelength are some 50% higher than results for 1064 nm. The first recorded measurements on three alkadienes are also reported using an inducing wavelength of 1064 nm. These data indicate that separation of the unsaturated bonds could be an important factor in the magnitude of the effect.