The Kerr effect, also called the quadratic electro-optic effect, is a change in the refractive index of a material in response to an applied electric field.

What is meant by Kerr effect?

The Kerr effect is a nonlinear optical effect which can occur when light propagates in crystals and glasses, but also in other media such as gases. It can be described as a change in refractive index caused by electric fields, and being proportional to the square of the electric field strength.

What is Kerr effect what are its applications?

Kerr effect application note. Page 1. When an intense laser beam enters a nonlinear material, the electric field of the beam can induce a change in the refractive index of the material that is proportional to the intensity of the beam. This nonlinear effect is called the Kerr effect.