  The effective linear and third-order nonlinear susceptibility of graded
metallic films with weak nonlinearity have been investigated. Due to the simple
geometry, we were able to derive exactly the local field inside the graded
structures having a Drude dielectric gradation profile. We calculated the
effective linear dielectric constant and third-order nonlinear susceptibility.
We investigated the surface plasmon resonant effect on the optical absorption,
optical nonlinearity enhancement, and figure of merit of graded metallic films.
It is found that the presence of gradation in metallic films yields a broad
resonant plasmon band in the optical region, resulting in a large enhancement
of the optical nonlinearity and hence a large figure of merit. We suggest
experiments be done to check our theoretical predictions, because graded
metallic films can be fabricated more easily than graded particles.
