Second harmonic generation in lead-containing glasses based on alkaline-earth metaphosphates

An efficient second harmonic generation in the quadratic polarizability gratings (χ(2)-gratings) written in lead-containing glasses based on barium, strontium, and calcium metaphosphates has been observed. It is shown that the generation efficiency and the rates of formation and decay of the χ(2)-gratings are primarily determined by the lead oxide content. Substantial differences in the properties of the second harmonic generation induced in silicate and phosphate glasses are revealed.