ANGLE RESOLVED 2ND HARMONIC-GENERATION FROM SILVER AND COPPER SURFACES

Dephasing of the second harmonic light generated at silver and copper surfaces is studied as a function of roughness. The degree of sample roughness was limited to the range where the reflected light was predominantly specular in nature. The second harmonic from these roughened surfaces was compared both in intensity and in angular diffusiveness to that from smooth silver and copper surfaces. Smooth surfaces produced well collimated second harmonic light. As the roughness increased, the second harmonic light became largely diffuse and significant enhancement was observed. This suggests that the process that leads to surface roughness enhancement also rapidly leads to the dephasing of the second harmonic light. 1986.

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