Chirality and polarization effects in nonlinear optics

Polarization effects play an even more important role in nonlinear optics than in linear optics because of the richer set of phenomena describable by higher-order tensor relations. The present contribution surveys some recent research on polarization aspects of nonlinear optical interactions, paying special attention to nonlinear optical interactions in chiral isotropic optical materials. We especially address the question of the existence of a linear electro-optic effect in chiral isotropic materials and analyse some of the conflicting statements that have recently been made in the scientific literature.