Nonlinear optical properties of iodoform complexes

Measurements of the electrooptic effect and of second harmonic generation (SHG) on three complexes of iodoform are presented. In these organic compounds the electrooptic effect and the sHG are strongly correlated and attributed to a purely electronic origin. The complexes of iodoform with sulphur and quinoline respectively, have a very similar crystal structure but display markedly different optical nonlinearities. Even higher optical nonlinear effects comparable to those in the best inorganic compounds are observed in the iodoform/tetramine complex.Dedicated to Professor Harry Thomas on the occasion of his 60th birthday