The electro-optical properties of methyl silicone oils with viscosities ranging from 10 to 10,000 cSt have been studied extensively to verify their suitability as immersion liquids. Immersion liquids are often used in nonlinear optics to protect hygroscopic crystals from moisture, reduce multiple reflections, and protect against electrical breakdown. However, the lack of experimental data makes it difficult to select an optimal liquid that does not exhibit a significant electro-optical Kerr effect in the fringing electric field around the electrodes on the crystal. Electro-optical measurements were performed using an improved dynamic polarimetric method, which compensates for the measurement errors caused by inaccurate positioning of the electro-optical modulator's operating point on its transmission characteristics. The values of the Kerr coefficient ranged from -8.83 × 10-16 to -6.79 × 10-16 m V-2 for all oil samples, at temperatures from 25 to 80 °C and frequencies from 67 to 1017 Hz. These exceptionally low values, together with a low dielectric constant, very good transparency, and high chemical stability, make methyl silicone oils highly suitable as immersion liquids. The Kerr coefficient and other electro-optical coefficients increased with increasing temperature. This unusual result cannot be adequately explained by Buckingham's molecular theory of the Kerr effect.
Keywords: electro-optic Kerr effect; immersion liquid; methyl silicone oils; polarimetric method.