Nonlinear refraction in CS_2 at 106 μm

Abstract

The nonlinear refractive index n(2) of CS(2) at 10.6 microm, the value of which is a subject of a recent controversy, is measured by an external self-focusing method. We found that n(2) = (2.1 +/- 0.7) x 10(-11) esu, similar to the accepted value of n(2) in the visible. Self-bending of spatially asymmetric CO(2) laser beam in CS(2) due to an ultrafast Kerr effect is observed, and the deduced value of n(2) is in agreement with our results.