Kerr Effect Induced Refractive Index Change

The Kerr effect, observed in non-linear optics, is the phenomenon where the refractive index of a material changes in response to the intensity of the light passing through it. In this formula, Δn represents the change in the refractive index, n2 is the Kerr coefficient (a material-dependent parameter measured in m²/W), and I is the intensity of the light (measured in W/m²). The product of the Kerr coefficient and the intensity yields the change in refractive index.

This effect is mathematically described by the relation Δn = n2 × I, where the change in refractive index is directly proportional to the light intensity. Applications of the Kerr effect include optical switching, modulation of signals, and the generation of frequency combs, which are essential for high-precision spectroscopy.