Electric-field induced second-harmonic generation

Overview

Electric-field induced second-harmonic generation (EFISH) is a technique to measure the molecular first hyperpolarizability of EO molecules. A strong electr field is used to induce acentric order in a solution of molecules. This results in the product of the the dipole moment μ and β. It measures only the component of β along the dopole moment axis.

This is a useful figure of merit for poled polymer systems but is inappropriate for ionic and non-dipolar chromophores.