Measurement of complex Chi((3)) using degenerate four-wave mixing with an imaged 2-D phase grating

We present a simple optical arrangement for phase sensitive detection of degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) to characterize the real and imaginary parts of Chi((3)) using an imaged 2-D phase grating. Phase sensitive coherent detection of DFWM signal is demonstrated. Phase stabilization of the interferometric arms is obtained passively with the 2-D grating. A processable polyacetylene sample is characterized at a wavelength of 1.5 microm using this technique. The observed nonlinearity is determined to be a fast (<250 fs) effect using a simple test.