Measurement of refractive index change with temperature using thermal self-phase modulation
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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

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The Frequency Domain Thermoreflectance Technique for Thermal Property Measurements
Published on: December 5, 2025
Applied Optics
|February 4, 2010
Abstract:
The thermal self-phase modulation effect, arising when a laser beam passes through absorbing materials, is used to measure the product of absorption coefficient and dn/dT (change of refractive index with temperature). By adding a dye so that absorption coefficient is readily measured, the value of dn/dT may be found. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed, with results for several liquids given and experiments on the effects of the added dye.

