Abstract

In previous papers [1.2,3] we demonstrated the feasibility of the Hyper Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) technique for the determination of the first molecular hyperpolarizability β in a macroscopically isotropic solution. This technique has several advantages over the more classic electric field induced second harmonic generation (EFISHG) technique because no electric field is required to break the centrosymmetry of the solution. Consequently, HRS allows for an easy and accurate determination of β of charged molecules and of molecules where β originates from octopolar charge distributions. Here we demonstrate the full strength of the HRS technique by measuring the first hyperpolarisability of a protein in a buffer solution as well as the (charged) protein chromophores in different solvents.

© 1993 Optical Society of America