Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Terahertz induced optical birefringence in polar and nonpolar liquids
Sergey Bodrov1, Yury Sergeev1, Aleksey Murzanev1
1Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia.
Abstract:
The terahertz induced optical birefringence in liquids with polar (acetone, chloroform) and nonpolar (benzene, carbon tetrachloride) molecules has been investigated. Fast and slow responses were extracted from the experimental data and compared with previous studies of the femtosecond optical Kerr effect. Terahertz Kerr constants were found and compared with known DC and optical constants. Analysis of the results obtained showed that, in contrast to the optical excitation, the interaction of a permanent dipole moment of molecules with a THz field makes a significant contribution to the transient birefringence and Kerr constants. This conclusion fully agrees with the direct comparison of the femtosecond optical and THz Kerr effects reported by Sajadi et al. [Nat. Commun. 8, 14963 (2017)].
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Properties of Enantiomers and Optical Activity
IR Spectrum Peak Broadening: Hydrogen Bonding
However, the extent of hydrogen bonding influences the observed stretching frequency and band broadening. Intermolecular or intramolecular...
Comparing Intermolecular Forces: Melting Point, Boiling Point, and Miscibility
Temporary attractive forces like dispersion are present in all molecules, whether they are polar or nonpolar. They...
Molecular Shape and Polarity
Measuring Reaction Rates
Potential Due to a Polarized Object

