Third-order nonlinear optical properties of complexes with MM triple and quadruple bonds (M = Mo, W) at 1064 nm by degenerate four-wave mixing

Measurements of the third-order nonlinear optical responses of solutions of the metal-metal multiply bonded complexes Mo(2)(OPr(i))(6), W(2)(OBu(t))(6), M(2)(NMe(2))(6), M(2)(O(2)CBu(t))(4), and M(2)Cl(4)(PMe(3))(4) (M = Mo, W), using picosecond degenerate four-wave mixing at 1064 nm, are reported. These complexes display only very small instantaneous electronic polarizations when excited with cross-polarized beams. When the excitation beams are similarly polarized, a significant third-order optical response is detected, which is attributable to the formation of bulk thermal excitation gratings. Time-dependent measurements support this view.