Synthesis, growth, and characterization of a non-linear optical crystal-glycine lithium chloride

A new non-linear optical material, glycine lithium chloride, was synthesized and single crystals were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at constant temperature from its aqueous solution. Transparent and well-crystallized hexagonal prisms were obtained by controlled evaporation at a constant temperature of 45 °C. The grown crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction methods, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and optical absorption spectrum. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystal lattice of glycine lithium chloride is hexagonal with unit cell a = b = 7.023 Å, c = 5.478 Å, α = β = 90°, γ = 120°, V = 234 Å³. The dielectric response of the crystal with varying frequencies was studied. The second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal was studied and is found to be larger than KDP.     

High-efficiency continuous-wave and Q-switched diode-end-pumped multi-wavelength Nd:YAG lasers

We demonstrate high-efficiency diode-end-pumped multi-wavelength Nd:YAG lasers for continuous-wave and Q-switched operation. For the continuous-wave case, the Nd:YAG laser oscillates at 1.06 and 1.3 μm simultaneously; the maximum output power of 2.0 W (M² = 1.3) and 3.6 W (M² = 1.8) have been achieved at the incident pump power of 20.3 W, with the respective average slope efficiencies of 12.0% and 21.4%, for the lines of 1.06 and 1.3 μm, respectively. For the Q-switched operation, we achieve the average output power of 1.3 W (M² = 2.7) at 1.06 μm and 2.0 W (M² = 3.0) at 1.3 μm with the corresponding peak power of 10.2 and 4.2 kW under an incident pump power of 20.3 W.     

Hologram multiplexing in acrylamide hydrophilic photopolymers

Unslanted diffraction gratings are recorded in a 900 μm thick acrylamide photopolymer by means of peristrophic multiplexing. A solid state Nd:YAG (λ = 532 nm) laser is used as the recording beam, with a total incident intensity of 5 mW/cm², and a He-Ne laser as the reconstruction beam. The dye concentration in the photopolymer is optimized so that it does not limit the dynamic range. Nine holograms are recorded using constant exposure time scheduling and variable exposure time scheduling. From the results obtained it may be deduced that optimization of the dye allows us to work in the linear response region of the photopolymer and at the same time obtain high values of diffraction efficiency for each hologram. An exponential increase in exposure time as the number of holograms increases enables the values of diffraction efficiency to be homogenized with regard to the case of constant exposure scheduling. In this way, better use is made of the dynamic range of acrylamide hydrophilic photopolymer.     

Nonlinear optical properties of periodic gold nanoparticle arrays

Periodic Au nanoparticle arrays were fabricated on silica substrates using nanosphere lithography. The identical single-layer masks were prepared by self-assembly of polystyrene nanospheres with radius R = 350 nm. The structural characterization of nanosphere masks and periodic particle arrays was investigated by atomic force microscopy. The nonlinear optical properties of the Au nanoparticle arrays were determined using a single beam z-scan method at a wavelength of 532 nm with laser duration of 55 ps. The results show that periodic Au nanoparticle arrays exhibit a fast third-order nonlinear optical response with the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient being n₂ = 6.09 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/kW and β = −1.87 × 10⁻⁶ m/W, respectively.     

Determination of nonlinear coefficient and group-velocity-dispersion of bismuth-based high nonlinear optical fiber by four-wave-mixing

Nonlinear coefficient and group-velocity-dispersion of bismuth-based nonlinear fibers were determined by four-wave-mixing measurements. The wavelength dependence of refractive index of bulk bismuth-based glasses was also measured to estimate the material dispersion and waveguide dispersion. A newly developed bi-directional four-wave-mixing configuration enabled us to determine all fiber parameters simultaneously. The obtained fiber nonlinearity γ ∼ 1000 W⁻¹ km⁻¹ of bismuth-based nonlinear fiber is the highest one in the step-index fiber made of oxide glasses as expected from a high refractive index at 1550 nm. Dispersion analysis reveals that the both material dispersion and waveguide dispersion affect to the large group-velocity-dispersion of bismuth-based nonlinear fiber.     

Nonlinear optical properties and photoinduced anisotropy of an azobenzene ionic liquid-crystalline polymer

The nonlinear optical properties and photoinduced anisotropy of an azobenzene ionic liquid-crystalline polymer were investigated. The single beam Z-scan measurement showed the polymer film possessed a value of nonlinear refractive index n₂ = −1.07 × 10⁻⁹ cm²/W under a picosecond 532 nm excitation. Photoinduced anisotropy in the polymer was studied through dichroism and photoinduced birefringence. A photoinduced birefringence value Δn ∼ 10⁻² was achieved in the polymer film. The mechanism for the nonlinear optical response and the physical process of photoinduced anisotropy in the polymer were discussed.     

Role of Yb and Tm ions in upconversion emission of Tb under 798 and 980 nm laser excitations in Tb-Tm-Yb doped tellurite glass

Upconversion emission and energy transfer processes in singly, doubly and triply doped tellurite glasses have been studied under 798 and 980 nm laser excitations. Emissions have been observed at 482, 544, 584, 655 nm and at 477, 655, 698, 800 nm corresponding to Tb³⁺: ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₆, ⁷F₅, ⁷F₄, ⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, 3) and Tm³⁺: ¹G₄ → ³H₆, ¹G₄ → ³F₄, ³F₃ → ³H₆, ³H₄ → ³H₆ transitions, respectively. Among Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺and Tb³⁺ ions only Tm³⁺ has a ground state absorption at 798 nm excitation due to ³H₄ ← ³H₆ transition. For 980 nm excitation only Yb³⁺ can absorb the incident radiation. However, for both types of excitations, emission from all the three ions Tb, Yb and Tm has been observed. Possible mechanisms are proposed as follows: under 798 nm excitation Tm³⁺ ions are excited which excite Yb³⁺ ions through energy transfer. Finally “cooperative energy transfer” from a pair of Yb³⁺ ions to Tm³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions takes place. Under 980 nm excitation Yb³⁺ ions absorb the incident energy and excite Tm³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions via cooperative energy transfer. Variation of emission intensity with the ion concentrations of Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Tb³⁺ has been studied. The lifetime of the ¹G₄ level has also been measured.     

Vacuum ultraviolet luminescence from a micro-pulling-down method grown Nd:(La0.9,Ba0.1)F2.9

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) luminescence from a Nd³⁺:(La_1−x,Ba_x)F_3−x (x=0.1) and a Nd³⁺:LaF₃ single crystal grown by the micro-pulling-down method modified for fluoride crystal growth is discussed. Emission resulting from excitation with 157 nm pulses of a F₂ laser and by 290 nm femtosecond pulses of a Ti:sapphire laser show that the luminescence spectral and temporal characteristics are similar for both excitation cases and that they have good prospects as a VUV laser material.     

Identification of optical nonlinearities of dye-doped nematic and polymer-dispersed liquid crystals using Z-scan technique

This study investigates the nonlinear optical properties of azo-dye-doped nematic and polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (ADDPDLC) films with nano-sized LC droplets using the Z-scan technique, which is a simple but powerful technique for measuring the optical Kerr constants of materials. The results indicate that the optical Kerr constant (n₂) of the azo-dye-doped nematic LC (ADDLC) film is large because of the photoisomerization effect and the thermal effect. Therefore, the optical Kerr constant of this material can be modulated by varying the temperature of the sample and the direction of polarization of incident laser. The range of n₂ modulated is from −5.26 × 10⁻³ to 1.62 × 10⁻³ cm²/W. The optical Kerr constants of ADDPDLC films at various temperatures are also measured. The experimental results reveal that liquid crystals in the ADDPDLC film strengthen the nonlinearity. The n₂ of the ADDPDLC film is maximal at ∼35 °C, because of the decrease in the clearing temperature of the ADDPDLC films. The clearing temperatures of the liquid crystals (E7), and the ADDPDLC film used in this work were found to be 61 °C and 43 °C, respectively.     

Sudan IV dye based poly(alkyloxymethacrylate) films for optical data storage

The polymer poly{1-[2′-methyl-4′-(2″-methylphenylazo) phenylazo]-2-(m-methacryloyloxyoctyloxy}naphthalene, where m = 6, 8, 10, is synthesized by free radical addition polymerization method for holographic optical data storage. Characterization of the polymers is done by formation of the holographic grating. A study of the dependence of diffraction efficiency of the grating formed on various parameters is presented. Surface relief gratings on these polymer films are created upon exposure to argon ion laser beams at 514.5 nm without any subsequent processing steps. The surface structure of the relief gratings has been investigated by atomic force microscopy. The depth of surface relief in a typical case is found to be around 40 nm.     

Measurement of two-photon absorption using the photo-thermal lens effect

We report on new schemes for pump-probe photo-thermal lens methods aimed for measuring the two-photon absorption coefficient of a given material. We show that by focusing a probe beam in the presence of a nearly collimated pump beam, we create a thermal lens which yields measurement of the two-photon absorption coefficient of nitrobenzene of (3.9 ± 0.3) 10⁻¹⁰ cm/W at 532 nm. We also show that when the pump field is focused in the presence of a nearly collimated probe beam the width of the z-scan signature of a two-photon absorption process is nearly one order of magnitude smaller than that of a one-photon process. We show experimental evidence of the effect obtained for nitrobenzene.     

Photoinduced anisotropy in an azo-containing ionic liquid-crystalline polymer

Photoinduced anisotropy in an azobenzene ionic liquid-crystalline polymer was investigated through dichroism, birefringence and polarization holography. A dichroism degree of 1.58 and a birefringence value Δn ∼ 10⁻² were achieved in the polymer film at room temperature, and the polymer film was found to possess the characteristics of reversible and long-term optical storage. Particularly the stored birefringence could be enhanced to Δn ∼ 10⁻¹ by annealing the film, and it is attributed to the thermal self-organization of the molecules. Furthermore, linear- and circular-polarization holographic recordings were accomplished in the polymer film and pure polarization gratings were produced.     

Infrared superbroadband emission of Bi ion doped germanium-aluminum-sodium glass

The 96GeO-(3-χ)Al₂O₃-χNa₂O-1NaBiO₃ (χ = 0, 0.5, 1.5 molar percent designated as A1, A2 and A3) and 96GeO-(3.5-ψ)Al₂O₃-ψNa₂O-0.5Bi₂O₃ (ψ = 0.5, 1, 2 molar percent designated as B1, B2 and B3) glasses were prepared by conventional melting method with the measurement of their DTA curve, fluorescence decay curve, transmission, absorption and emission spectra. The near infrared superbroadband emission characteristics of the A1, A2, B1 and B2 glasses peak at ∼1220 nm were observed when pumped by an 800 nm laser diode. The stimulated emission cross section (σ_p) was obtained from the emission spectra. The result indicated that the introduction of Bi⁵⁺ in NaBiO₃ into raw materials could increase the emission intensity of the obtained glasses by 5.6 times than that of Bi³⁺ in Bi₂O₃, and the FWHM (Δλ) and emission lifetime (τ) at 1220 nm increased from 195 nm to 275 nm, and 280 μs to 434 μs. Meanwhile, it was found that the absorption edges were blue-shifted from 486 to 447 nm by comparing those of A1 and B1. The absorption edges were considered to be ascribed to the charge transfer from Bi³⁺ 6s² to Bi⁵⁺ 6s⁰. Therefore we could conclude that the content of Bi⁵⁺ ions in A1 was more than that in B1 glasses. It could be deduced from the emission and absorption spectra that the stronger emission intensity and wider FWHM were due to the higher concentration of Bi⁵⁺ ion in glass. In particular, the increase of Na₂O content was in proportion to the thermal stability and the value of σ_p × τ and σ_p × Δλ of glasses.     

Upconversion fluorescence property of Er/Yb-codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence property of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped novel bismuth-germanium glass under 975 nm LD excitation has been studied. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546 and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively, were observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546 and 657 nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs. The structure of the bismuth-germanium glass has been investigated by peak-deconvolution of FT-Raman spectrum, and the structural information was obtained from the peak wavenumbers. This novel bismuth-germanium glass with low maximum phonon energy (∼750 cm⁻¹) can be used as potential host material for upconversion lasers.     

Passively Q-switched laser performance of c-cut Nd:Gd0.63Y0.37VO4 crystal

Passively Q-switched c-cut Nd:Gd_0.63Y_0.37VO₄ laser performance at 1.06 μm was demonstrated with Cr⁴⁺:YAG as saturable absorbers for the first time to our knowledge. This c-cut mixed crystal was found to have large energy storage capacity. The shortest pulse width, largest pulse energy, and highest peak power were obtained to be 6.6 ns, 201.7 μJ, and 30.6 kW, respectively.     

Generation of tunable infrared radiation in rubidium titanyl phosphate crystal for the optical measurement of number density, absorption cross-section of methane gas

Tunable near-infrared radiation has been generated in a rubidium titany1 phosphate (RTP) crystal by employing non-collinear difference-frequency mixing (DFM) technique. The input radiation sources are Nd:YAG laser radiation and its second harmonic pumped dye laser radiation. For the generation of 2.0 radiation, the maximum value of the conversion efficiency (quantum) obtained in the process is 49% from the dye (0.6945 μm) to the infrared (2.0 μm) radiation in the 7.9-mm-long crystal. The generated tunable mid-infrared radiation has been used to measure the number density, absorption cross-section and minimum detectable concentration of methane gas in its 2ν₃ band in a multi-pass cell at 30.075 Torr pressure. The number density and column density of the methane molecules are found to be 1.068×10¹⁸ cm⁻³ and 3.02×10²¹ cm⁻², respectively, whereas the minimum still-detectable concentration at 1.658 μm wavelength is estimated to be 4.523×10¹⁷/cm³.     

Lasing at 1065 nm in bulk Nd-doped telluride-tungstate glass

We have achieved, for the first time to our knowledge, lasing in a new type of telluride-tungstate glass host doped with neodymium: Nd³⁺:(0.8)TeO₂-(0.2)WO₃. Lasing was obtained at 1065 nm with two samples containing 0.5 mol% and 1.0 mol% Nd₂O₃. During gain-switched operation, slope efficiencies of 12% and 10% were obtained with the 0.5 mol% and 1.0 mol% doped samples, respectively, at a pulse repetition rate of 1 kHz. Judd-Ofelt analysis was further employed to determine the emission cross section σ_e at 1065 nm from the absorption spectra and lifetime data. The emission cross section from the Judd-Ofelt analysis came to 3.23 ± 0.09 × 10⁻²⁰ cm², in reasonable agreement with the value of 2.0 ± 0.13 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² obtained from the analysis of laser threshold data.     

Optical properties of one-dimensional photonic crystals containing graded materials

The optical properties of an one-dimensional photonic crystal containing graded materials are studied theoretically. The graded layers have space dispersive permittivity and magnetic permeability which vary along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the layer. The gradation profiles of permittivity are studied in detail. We show that the structure possesses forbidden band gaps in its transmission spectra and the gradation profiles of permittivity affect the band gaps significantly. For the exponential gradation profile ε₁(x) = α e^βx, the number of the band gaps increases and the total frequency region corresponding to the gaps becomes large with increasing parameter β. On the other hand, the position of band gaps can be changed by the adjustment of the gradation profiles even if possessing same volume-average permittivity in the graded layers. Therefore, we can achieve suitable photonic band gaps by choosing gradation profiles of permittivity.     

Influence of the central metal atom on the nonlinear optical properties of MPcs solutions and thin films

Third order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ^〈3〉) of metallophthalocyanines (MPcs, where M = Co, Cu, Zn, Mg) thin films and solutions was investigated by standard backward degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM) method at 532 nm. Third harmonic generation (THG) measurement at 1064 nm performed on MPcs thin films is also discussed. MPcs thin films were grown by conventional thermal evaporation in high vacuum and solution were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF), in which the studied materials are soluble. In the case of microscopic nonlinearity, we calculated the second order hyperpolarizability (γ) for MPcs solutions. We found that the χ^〈3〉 and the γ values are affected by the nature of the central metal atom. We also found that the value is larger than that measured via THG experiment. The variation in χ^〈3〉 values occurs due to the different resonance contributions.     

Z-scan measurements of optical nonlinearity in acid blue 29 dye

The third order nonlinear optical properties of acid blue 29 solutions have been studied using Z-scan technique. Experiments are performed using a CW He–Ne laser at 632.8 nm wavelength and 3 mW power. The linear absorption coefficient α₀, nonlinear absorption coefficient β, nonlinear refractive index n₂, Re χ³, and Im χ³ are measured at three different concentrations. Our results show that higher concentration gives better nonlinear optical properties. Also, it was found that there is an increasing trend in the value of the nonlinear refractive index n₂ as the concentration increases.