Determination of the Kerr Constant of Water at 658 nm for Pulsed Intense Electric Fields

This paper is devoted to a detailed presentation of all aspects involved in the development and demonstration of a compact electric field measuring system using the Kerr effect in water. During the experimental program, the Kerr constant of water was determined as 2.45 ·10^-14 m/V² ±10% at a wavelength of 658 nm, standard pressure and temperature, and fast pulsed electric field strength of up to 360 kV/cm. Details are given of the experimental arrangements and the techniques used at both research centers involved. Finally, a brief comment on the way ahead is provided.