Water Optical Nonlinearity: Explaining Anomalously Large Electro-Optic Coefficients in Poled Silica Fibres

An explanation is offered for the large anomalous electro-optic (e.o.) effect reported by Fujiwara in 1994. It is based on the large e.o. coefficient of ordered water at an interface measured in recent years. The concept of water-based photonics is introduced, suggesting that liquid states of matter can allow ready shaping and exploitation of many processes in ways not previously considered.