Optical Kerr effect

The Optical Kerr Effect is a phenomenon where a material's refractive index (how much it bends light) changes in response to the intensity of an incoming light beam. When a powerful laser passes through, the intensity causes the material to become temporarily more or less optically dense, effectively altering how light travels through it. This effect enables applications like ultrafast switching and modulation in optical systems, as it allows control over light with light itself without needing external devices. Essentially, the Kerr effect creates a dynamic, light-dependent change in a material’s optical properties.