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Terahertz Kerr effect

We have observed optical birefringence in liquids induced by single-cycle THz pulses with field strengths exceeding 100 kV/cm. The induced change in polarization is proportional to the square of the THz electric field. The time-dependent THz Kerr signal is composed of a fast electronic response that follows the individual cycles of the electric field and a slow exponential response associated with molecular orientation.