Linear and nonlinear optical properties of simple oxides. II

Abstract

A suitable relationship between the linear refractive index n0, the energy gap Eg, and the nonlinear refractive index n2 has been looked for on the basis of experimental and theoretical data reported in the literature for numerous simple oxides. It has been established that the nonlinear refractive index increases with increasing linear refractive index and decreasing energy gap of the oxides. This is related to the increasing metallicity of the oxides. Oxides with a high nonlinear refractive index posses a metallization criterion of approximately 0.30–0.45.