The DC Kerr Effect in Nonlinear Optics

Abstract: We use weakly nonlinear geometric optics to study a model for the DC Kerr effect (the Kerr electro-optic effect), in which a light beam propagating through a material with strong nonlinear optical properties can have its polarization rotated by applying a strong external electric field. This effect is used to build fast switches (Kerr cells). We prove existence of an exact solution of the nonlinear Maxwell system with a cubic Kerr nonlinearity, with the wavelength $h$ being a small parameter. We justify the effect within this model, and also solve the inverse problem of recovery of the nonlinear susceptibility $\chi^{(3)}$ from the change of the polarization.