Nonlinear optical studies of a newly synthesized copolymer containing oxadiazole and substituted thiophenes

We investigated the third-order nonlinear optical properties of a newly synthesized soluble copolymer containing oxadiazole and thiophene units using Z-scan and Degenerate Four Wave Mixing (DFWM) techniques. The measurements were performed at 532 nm with 7 ns pulses from a Nd:YAG laser. We found a good agreement between the values of χ⁽³⁾ determined from both experiments. Z-scan results indicate a negative nonlinear refractive index, n₂, whose magnitude is of the order of 10⁻¹⁰ esu. The copolymer exhibits strong nonlinear absorption and good optical limiting properties at 532 nm, and hence may be a potential material for optical limiting applications.     

Third-order optical nonlinearities of an organometallic complex: Bis(tetra-n-propylammonium)bis(2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato)cuprate(II) doped in solid PMMA films

An organometallic complex, bis(tetra-n-propylammonium)bis(2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato)cuprate(II), [(C₃H₇)₄N]₂[Cu(dmit)₂] (dmit^2?=4,5-dithiolate-1,3-dithiole-2-thione), abbreviated as PrCu, was synthesized. The films of PrCu were prepared using spin coating method. The third-order nonlinear optical properties of PrCu in acetone solution and PMMA films were investigated by Z-scan technique at 1064 nm with laser duration of 20 ps. The Z-scan spectra reveal that the composite films exhibit large negative nonlinear refractive indices of the order of 10^?15 m²/W, which are three orders larger than that in acetone solution. The nonlinear absorption coefficients were calculated to be 9.416×10^?10 m/W. For the composite films, the figure of merit, W and T, meet the requirement of all-optical switching devices. The experimental results show that the PrCu-doped PMMA films have potential applications for nonlinear optical devices.     

Optical nonlinearities of Au nanoparticles embedded in a zinc oxide matrix

Optical nonlinearities of Au nanoparticles embedded in zinc oxide (ZnO) matrix have been investigated by the Z-scan method at the wavelength of 532 nm using nanosecond Nd³⁺:YAG laser radiation. The nonlinear refractive index has been measured and the real part of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility is deduced. The results of the investigation of nonlinear refraction using the off-axis Z-scan configuration are presented and the mechanisms responsible for the nonlinear response are discussed. The nonlinear refraction is found to be negative (self-defocusing) in the vicinity of the surface plasmon resonance. Moreover, its strength is shown to be larger for materials having higher gold concentration. Finally, the prevailing influence of the electronic Kerr effect over the possible thermo-optical contribution is demonstrated.     

Data analysis of z-scan experiment using Fresnel–Kirchoff integral method in colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles

In this study, a precise method to evaluate nonlinear optical absorption and refraction of materials using z-scan method based on Fresnel–Kirchhoff integral method (FK method) has been offered. The real electric field of a Gaussian beam passing through a nonlinear sample having both nonlinear absorption and refraction has been investigated using FK method. Subsequently, the z-scan curves have been studied. This is the first time that FK method has been used for calculating the nonlinear absorption coefficient. Additionally, an appropriate numerical curve-fitting method for calculating the nonlinear optical coefficients based on z-scan method has been suggested. Z-scan curves and nonlinear optical coefficients have been obtained for TiO₂ nanoparticles in CW irradiation regime with the particle size ranges from 70 to 90 nm. This is the first experimental study which uses this analytical numerical method. Finally, all calculated results extracted from this new method have been compared with those of the previous methods.     

相位物体$lt;i$gt;Z$lt;/i$gt;-扫描研究金属簇合物［$lt;i$gt;Tp$lt;/i$gt;*W($lt;i$gt;μ$lt;/i$gt;$lt;sub$gt;3$lt;/sub$gt;-S)$lt;sub$gt;3$lt;/sub$gt;Cu$lt;sub$gt;3$lt;/sub$gt;$lt;i$gt;Py$lt;/i$gt;$lt;sub$gt;3$lt;/sub$gt;($lt;i$gt;μ$lt;/i$gt;$lt;sub$gt;3$lt;/sub$gt;-Br)］($lt;i$gt;PF$lt;/i$gt;$lt;sub$gt;6$lt;/sub$gt;)/DMF溶液的瞬态热致非线性折射

在纳秒时域,采用相位物体（PO）Z-扫描技术研究了一种新型金属簇合物溶液的瞬态热致非线性效应.该方法的最大优点是很容易区分瞬态热致非线性折射和三阶非线性折射.本文利用PO Z-扫描和传统Z-扫描研究了在8 ns脉宽、不同能量激光脉冲作用下［Tp*W（μ₃-S）₃Cu₃Py₃（μ₃-Br）］（PF₆）/DMF溶液的光学非线性.从声波方程和热传导方程出发,对实验结果进行了理论分析和数值模拟,理论值和实验结果很好的吻合.研究结果表明,样品溶液的非线性折射主要来源于瞬态热致非线性效应. 关键词： Z-扫描')" href="#">相位物体 Z-扫描 瞬态热致非线性折射 光克尔效应 DMF     

The use of three-photon absorption for optical limiting of laser radiation

The results of a study of nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption at a wavelength of 532 nm in an LGO (Li₂Ge₂O₁₅) crystal by Z-scan methods are presented. It is shown that the nonlinear refraction is caused by self-focusing of the laser radiation, whereas the nonlinear absorption is three-photon in nature. The possibility of using an LGO crystal for producing the optical limiting of laser radiation of picosecond duration is demonstrated.     

Method for measurements of second-order nonlinear optical coefficient based on Z-scan

The method for measuring second-order nonlinear optical coefficients based on well-known Z-scan is presented. The influence of linear absorption coefficients on normalized transmittance is discussed. Using this method, we obtained the second-order nonlinear coefficient d₃₁(5%MgO:LiNbO₃) = 4.5 × 10⁻¹² m/v at 1064 nm, which agrees well with theoretical calculations and previous well-known values.     

Theoretical analysis of the off-axis Z-scan method for measuring nonlinear refractive indices

The results of a theoretical analysis of the off-axis Z-scan method for measuring nonlinear refraction are presented. The dependences of the normalized transmittance are calculated for different radii and positions of the aperture. The amplitude T _pv and the distance between the maximum and the minimum Z _pv are analyzed as functions of the aperture size.     

Theoretical study on stability of Z-scan technique by use of quasi-one-dimensional slit beam

The modified Z-scan technique using the quasi-one-dimensional slit (QODS) beam for characterizing the third-order optical nonlinearity has been reported recently. In the present work, we investigate the effect of the finite length of the slit in the QODS beam Z-scan for the practical experimental conditions, and then give an empirical expression that allows the direct estimation of nonlinear refraction coefficient from the measured normalized peak-valley transmittance difference. In particular, we explore relatively in detail the influences of the sample imperfection on the Z-scan traces, such as the hollow hole of the sample and the nonuniform nonlinearity. Compared with the other Z-scan techniques, such as the top-hat and Gaussian-beam Z-scans, we find that the QODS beam Z-scan has the great improvement for the sample imperfections. The results suggest that the QODS beam Z-scan is a more promising and useful technique for characterizing the optical nonlinearity of an imperfect sample.     

Nonlinear optical characteristics of CdS and ZnS nanoparticles implanted into zirconium oxide thin films

The nonlinear refractive indices γ and nonlinear absorption coefficients of ZrO₂ films doped with CdS or ZnS nanoparticles, as well as with various metals, are measured. The effects of semiconductor and metal nanoparticles and annealing on the nonlinear optical properties of films are studied. The structural parameters of films, determined by electron microscopy and x-ray dispersion spectroscopy, are compared to the optical and nonlinear optical characteristics of these media. The high magnitude of γ of the films ((3±0.6)×10^?11 cm² W^{? 1}) is attributed to the surface enhancement effect in semiconductor nanoparticles. On the basis of Z-scan data obtained at different intensities of radiation, it is shown that the variations in γ of the ZrO₂:CdS(Cr) and ZrO₂:ZnS(Mn) films are related to the generation of free carriers.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>-scan study of the thermo-optical effect

In the case of cw Gaussian illumination, the thermo-optical n₂ cannot be characterised by a constant value. It is shown that, if absorption has both linear and nonlinear contributions, the thermo-optical n₂ consists of a position- and power-dependent term. Hence analytical formulae that assume a constant n₂ are no longer valid for the Z-scan fitting. In this paper a new Z-scan theory is introduced, which is applicable to the thermo-optical effect in the presence of both linear and nonlinear absorption and an arbitrary extent of optical nonlinearity. The calculation technique can be used for large sample thickness too, by dividing it into thin slices. It was found that inside one slice, the distribution of the light-induced refraction is similar to that for the case of graded index media. The propagation can be described through the transformation of the q-parameter. It is demonstrated that the Z-scan technique makes the sensitive measurement of the linear absorption coefficient possible. The linear and nonlinear absorption coefficients were experimentally determined for Mg doped LiNbO₃ to be =0.6 m^-1 and =2.9×10^-9 m/W, respectively. PACS 42.79.Ry; 78.20.Nv; 77.84.Dy     

Nonlinear refractive index of multicomponent glasses designed for fabrication of photonic crystal fibers

The second order nonlinear refractive index n ₂ of various multicomponent glasses was measured at the wavelength of 1240 nm close to the 1.3-μm fiber transmission window. With the refractive index covering the range from 1.45 to 2.3, a comparatively broad range of n ₂ with values from 1.1×10^?20 m²/W for boro-silicate based glass NC21 to 4.3×10^?19 m²/W for lead–bismuth-gallate based glass PBG08 was measured using the Z-scan method. Considering the broad infrared transmission range of multicomponent glasses, these materials pose a great potential for future applications as photonic crystal fiber sources of infrared supercontinuum.     

Third-order optical nonlinearity of (Ba0.7Sr0.3)TiO3 ferroelectric thin films fabricated by soft solution processing

(Ba_0.7Sr_0.3)TiO₃ (BST) ferroelectric thin films with perovskite crystal structure were fabricated by soft solution processing on a quartz substrate. The third-order nonlinear optical properties were investigated by using Z-scan technique. Positive nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient were determined to be 4×10⁻⁷ esu and 1.2×10⁻⁶ m/w, respectively. The real part and imaginary part of third-order optical nonlinear susceptibility were calculated and the values were 6.43×10⁻⁸ and 5.14×10⁻⁸ esu, respectively. All of these results show ferroelectric BST thin film is promising for applications in nonlinear optical devices.     

Theory of Z-scan technique using Gaussian-Bessel beams with a phase object

This paper reports the theoretical study of combining Z-scan technique with Gauss-Bessel (GB) beams beside a phase object (PO) to measure the third-order nonlinear susceptibility components.By using this method,the sign of refractive index which depends on the shape of the close aperture Z-scan curve can be easily determined.Meanwhile,the magnitude of nonlinear coefficients can also be deduced by theoretical fit.The proposed method is advantageous for high sensitivity and imposes a lower stress in the cases of fragile materials,since small pulse energy is enough for the measurement of nonlinear coefficients.Predictions of the models are compared with Gaussian Z-scan measurement and GB Z-scan measurement.By using GB beams with a PO,the sensitivity of Z-scan measurements is found to be a factor of over 60 times greater than for Gaussian beams and 2 times greater than for Gaussian-Bessel beams.     

Nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles dispersed in different optically transparent matrices

The nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles dispersed in optically transparent matrices Al₂O₃, ZnO, and SiO₂ are investigated using the classical and off-axis techniques of the Z-scan method at a wavelength of 532 nm (radiation from a nanosecond Nd: YAG laser). The experimental data on the nonlinear refraction in composite materials are obtained. The nonlinear refractive indices and the light absorption coefficients are determined, and the real and imaginary parts of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility for the structures under investigation are calculated. It is demonstrated that, for the composite materials under consideration, the nonlinear properties of the medium under the chosen conditions of laser irradiation are predominantly determined by the Kerr effect and the contribution of this effect exceeds the contribution of the thermal lens.     

Effect of nonlinear refraction and two-photon absorption on the optical limiting in amorphous chalcogenide films

This paper reports on the results of investigations into the nonlinear optical characteristics of chalcogenide films (As₂S₃, As₂₀S₈₀, 2As₂S₃/As₂Se₃, 3As₂S₃/As₂Se₃). The nonlinear refractive indices and two-photon absorption coefficients for these films are measured using the Z-scan technique at wavelengths of a picosecond Nd: YAG laser (λ=1064 and 532 nm). The optical limiting due to Kerr-type nonlinearities is analyzed.     

Direct measurement of free carrier nonlinearity in semiconductor-doped glass with picosecond pump-probe Z-scan experiment

We report the direct measurement of free carrier nonlinearity in a semiconductor-doped glass with picosecond pump-probe Z-scan experiment. A strong Z-scan signal from a weak and time delayed probe beam is observed. The probe beam Z-scan signal is comparable in magnitude to the Z-scan signal of the intense pump beam, clearly showing the dominance of the effective fifth order nonlinearity due to the pump beam generated free carriers in the overall nonlinear response of semiconductor-doped glass. The estimated magnitude of the fifth order nonlinearity is consistent with that obtained from earlier reported experiments.     

Study of third-and fifth-order nonlinear optical processes in thin C<Subscript>60</Subscript> films

The nonlinear refraction in thin films of fullerene C₆₀ (100 nm) is studied by the Z-and RZ-scan methods using the second harmonic of a picosecond Nd:YAG laser (λ = 532 nm, τ = 55 ps). The combined effect of n₂ (self-focusing of laser radiation) and n₄ (self-defocusing) is analyzed. Mechanisms responsible for the nonlinear refraction in films are discussed.     

Third-order optical nonlinearities of lead-free (Na1−xKx)0.5Bi0.5TiO3 thin films

(Na_1−xK_x)_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ (NKBT) (x = 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) thin films with good surface morphology and rhombohedral perovskite structure were fabricated on quartz substrates by a sol-gel process. The fundamental optical constants (the band gaps, linear refractive indices and absorption coefficients) of the films were obtained through optical transmittance measurements. The nonlinear optical properties were investigated by Z-scan technique performed at 532 nm with a picosecond laser. A two-photon absorption effect closely related with potassium-doping content was found in thin films, and the nonlinear refractive index n₂ increases evidently with potassium-doping. The real part of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ is much larger than its imaginary part, indicating that the third-order optical nonlinear response of the NKBT films is dominated by the optical nonlinear refractive behavior. These results show that NKBT thin films have potential applications in nonlinear optics.     

Short pulse Z -scan investigations of optical nonlinearities of a novel organometallic complex: [(C2H5)4N]2[Cu(dmit)2] at 532 and 1064?nm

A novel dmit organometallic complex: [(C₂H₅)₄N]₂[Cu(dmit)₂] (dmit^2-=1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate), abbreviated as EtCu, was synthesized. Afterwards its optical nonlinearities in acetone solution at 532 nm and 1064 nm were studied by the Z-scan technique with laser pulses of picosecond duration. The two-photon absorption at 1064 nm and the saturable absorption at 532 nm were observed. The Z-scan curves also revealed that EtCu sample solutions exhibited self-defocusing effects at both wavelengths. The origins were analyzed for the differences between the results. All the outcomes suggest that this material is potential for nonlinear optical device applications. PACS 42.65.An; 42.65.Hw; 42.65.Jx; 81.20.Ka; 78.30.Jw