Large nonlinear phase shift owing to cascaded χ^(2) in quasi-phase-matched bulk LiNbO_3

Large nonresonant effective nonlinear indices that are due to cascading have been observed by Z-scan and CCD camera measurements performed on quasi-phase-matched LiNbO(3). Positive and negative values of n(cascad)(2) were measured at temperatures symmetrically displayed with respect to the optimum phase-matching temperatures (2.39 x 10(-13) and -2.37 x 10(-13)cm(2)/W, respectively).