Abstract:
A review is given of theoretical and experimental investigations of the optical rectification effect (ORE) in nonlinear crystals. Attention is focused on aspects of using this effect for measurements of the nonlinear susceptibilities of crystals, measurements of the power, polarization, and profile of laser pulses, excitation of electromagnetic waves in waveguides and resonators, generation of infrared radiation, and nonlinear spectroscopy. Further potential uses of the ORE are discussed.