Aerosols of anisotropic metallic microparticles as artificial Kerr media

The use of aerosols of anisotropic metallic microparticles as composite artificial Kerr media for degenerate four wave mixing is investigated. Because of the elongated shapes and the large and negative value of the dielectric function of metal particles, nonlinear coefficients are much larger than those for insulating particles. Estimates are given of grating resolution, formation and decay times, and the attenuation of radiation owing to scattering and absorption as well as of limitations imposed by particle sedimentation.