Giant Nonlinear Optical Response in Topological Semimetal Molybdenum Phosphide

Nonlinear optical properties are investigated using the static and time-resolved second harmonic generation in the topological material molybdenum phosphide (MoP) with three-component fermions. Giant second harmonic generation signals are detected and the derived chi (2) value is larger than that of the typical electro-optic material. Upon optical excitation, no photoinduced change of the symmetry is detected in MoP, which is quite different from previous observations in several other topological materials.

Automated summary

The nonlinear optical properties of molybdenum phosphide (MoP) with three-component fermions are investigated using static and time-resolved second harmonic generation. Large second harmonic generation signals are detected in MoP, and the derived chi (2) value is higher than that of typical electro-optic materials. Unlike other topological materials, no photoinduced symmetry change is observed in MoP upon optical excitation.