Off-resonant transient birefringence in liquids

Off-resonant transient birefringence measurements are analyzed using a reduced equation of motion for the ground state density matrix, which is expanded using an effective Hamiltonian. Assuming that the pump field is weak, we express the polarization relevant for the birefringence signal in terms of a convolution of the tensorial polarizability response function with the external fields. The homodyne-detected birefringence signal is directly compared with the coherent Raman signal. The relationship between off-resonant birefringence and spontaneous Raman experiments is discussed. By expanding the polarizability in powers of the nuclear coordinates and applying the Brownian oscillator model to the coordinate response function, we separate the birefringence signal into intra- and intermolecular coordinate response functions. Off-resonant transient birefringences of acetonitrile, chloroform, dimethylsulfoxide, and a series of alcohols were measured. The data are transformed to the frequency domain by using a model independent analysis method. The spectra are discussed in the context of various models for the distribution of intermolecular modes (spectral density) in liquids.