Kerr Lens
A lensing effect arising from the Kerr nonlinearity.
When a short optical pulse propagates through a nonlinear medium, the Kerr Effect leads to a phase delay which is largest on the beam AXIS (where the Intensity is highest) and smaller outside the axis. As a consequence, the wavefronts are deformed, and the pulse is focused (assuming a positive n2 coefficient). This effect is called self-focusing and has important implications for Passive Mode Locking of lasers and for optical damage of media.
Related Terms
Absorption Lens ,
Electrostatic Lens,
Fiber Lens Fusing,
Kerr Effect,
Kerr Lens,
Kerr lens mode locking,
Lens,
External links for Kerr Lens
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