Linear and nonlinear optical properties of multifunctional PbV O3 thin films

Lead vanadate (PbVO3) is a multifunctional material which is both polar and magnetic. Its optical properties, important for linear and nonlinear optical spectroscopy of the material, are presented. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry, the refractive index and absorption versus wavelength of lead vanadate thin films at 295 K is reported. Using optical second harmonic generation, the nonlinear optical coefficients were determined to be d15/d31=0.20±0.02, d33/d 31=316.0±4.4, and ∫d33∫=10.40±0.35 pm/V at a fundamental wavelength of 800 nm. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.