Ground State Absorption Cross Section Research Articles

Slow and fast absorption saturation of black phosphorus: experiment and modelling.

According to the excited-state decay time, a slow saturable absorber model was employed to obtain the ground-state absorption and excited-state absorption cross sections σgs and σes of black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets, which are (1.25 ± 0.07) × 10-16 cm2 and (2.97 ± 0.21) × 10-17 cm2 at 515 nm, and (5.95 ± 0.17) × 10-18 cm2 and (5.19 ± 0.71) × 10-19 cm2 at 1030 nm, respectively. In comparison, the σgs and σes of MoS2 and graphene were also obtained with the same model. The ratio σes/σgs of BP is the smallest (only 0.24 ± 0.03 at 515 nm and 0.09 ± 0.01 at 1030 nm) among the three two-dimensional layered materials both at 515 nm and 1030 nm. Relatively large ground-state transition probability and weak loss of excited-state absorption result in good saturable absorption performance. In comparison with MoS2 and graphene, the much lower saturation intensity of BP can be well explained from this perspective.

Transition from saturable to reverse saturable absorption in multi-walled carbon nanotube-doped sol-gel hybrid glasses

Transition dynamics from optical saturable absorption (SA) to reverse saturable absorption (RSA) in multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-doped fast sol-gel hybrid organic/inorganic glasses was studied by optical transmission of 532 nm laser pulses. Exposure to 6 ns long, temporally isolated single pulses of energies between 10−3 and 2×10−2 J/cm2 exhibited SA. Exposure to 1.5 ns long, 11 kHz repetitive pulses of energies between 2×10−2 and 1 J/cm2 exhibited a gradual development of RSA at a rate that increases with the pulse energy. SA results were analyzed by the slow saturable absorber theory, yielding a ground-state absorption cross section σgs=(1.5±0.1)×10−14 cm2 for a (2.0±0.13)×1015 cm−3 density of states. The first excited state absorption cross section was σes1=(9.3±0.6)×10−16 cm2 for a much higher, (2.3±0.15)×1016 cm−3, density of states. The SA/RSA transition temporal evolution effects were modeled by a five-level energy scheme. The numerical simulation yielded light-intensity dependent parameters: ground-state densities decreasing from (9±0.5)×1022 to (2±0.1)×1021 cm−3; ground-state absorption cross sections increasing from (2±0.1)×10−22 to (9.0±0.5)×10−21 cm2; and excited state absorption cross sections increasing from (7.8±0.4)×10−22 to (3.3±0.15)×10−20 cm2. The occurrence of such huge state densities is consistent with observation by others on the formation of ionized carbon-black particles as plasma states under illumination.

Investigations of Non-Linear Absorption of Q-Switching Saturable Absorbers and Determination of their Main Parameters

Investigations of non-linear absorption of q-switching absorbers were carried out. Three types of saturable absorbers were examined (Cr4+:YAG at the wavelength of 1064 nm, V3+:YAG and Co2+:YAG at the wavelength of 1332 nm) and their principal parameters were estimated. To appropriately determine these parameters 48 samples of Cr4+:YAG, 42 samples of V3+:YAG and 26 samples of Co2+:YAG were investigated making the results more reliable. Three different models of analysis of saturation effect were described and the best one chosen. Using the best model for the analysis the main parameters of the saturable absorbers were determined. On the basis of so many samples the standard deviation of the ground state absorption cross section, the excited state absorption cross section and the unsaturable losses were calculated showing how the value of these parameters may differ even for the same type of crystal.

Third-order nonlinearity and passive Q-switching of Cr⁴⁺:YGG garnet crystal.

We demonstrate the third-order nonlinear optical properties of Cr(4+):Y(3)Ga(5)O(12) (Cr(4+):YGG) and Q-switched lasers with Cr(4+):YGG as the saturable absorber for the first time to our knowledge. The third-order nonlinear properties, including the optical Kerr nonlinearity and saturable absorption, were systematically measured and analyzed in detail by using a Z-scan technique. The measured data show that Cr(4+):YGG has a large nonlinear refractive index, ground-state absorption cross section, and excited-state absorption cross section in contrast to Cr(4+):Y(3)Al(5)O(12) (Cr(4+):YAG). With a Nd:YGG crystal as the gain medium and a Cr(4+):YGG crystal as the saturable absorber, the passively Q-switched laser was performed. The shortest pulse width and largest pulse energy were achieved at the absorbed pump power of 8 W with the values of 9.1 ns and 26.1 μJ, respectively, corresponding to the average output power of 0.87 W and peak power of 2.9 kW. The results indicate that Cr(4+):YGG is an available and promising optical switcher for pulsed lasers.

Host matrix effect on the near infrared saturation performance of graphene absorbers

A comparative research on the near infrared performance of three kinds of widely used graphene saturable absorbers, namely, graphene polymer composite films, neat graphene films and graphene dispersions, was performed by using Z-scan technique with 340 fs pulses at 1030 nm. The polymer films and graphene films were fabricated through solution cast method and vacuum filtration technique based on the liquid-phase exfoliated graphene dispersions, respectively. The polymer films reveal the best saturable absorption (SA) response and the lowest saturation intensity Is, in comparison with the neat films and dispersions. The graphene films show the largest SA coefficient and figure of merit due to its highest linear absorption coefficient and refractive index. By employing slow SA modeling, the excited state and ground state absorption cross sections were estimated to be ~10−17 cm2, and the ratio were 0.61, 0.57 and 0.71 for the dispersions, polymer films and neat films, respectively.

Saturable absorption behavior of free-standing graphene polymer composite films over broad wavelength and time ranges.

A comparative research on saturable absorption (SA) behavior dependence on wavelength and pulse duration was performed for graphene polymer composites. Free-standing graphene-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films were fabricated by using solution cast method in combination of liquid phase exfoliation. SA responses were observed by using an open-aperture Z-scan technique for 340 fs pulses at 1030 nm and 515 nm from a mode-locked fiber laser, and 6 ns pulses at 1064 nm and 532 nm from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The graphene films possess better SA property, i.e., larger SA coefficient and figure of merit (FOM), and lower saturation intensity I(s), for ns pulses than that for fs pulses at the similar near infrared (NIR) wavelength. For fs pulses, the films show better SA response at 1030 nm than that at 515 nm. By employing slow and fast SA modelling, the excited state and ground state absorption cross sections were estimated to be ~10(-17) cm(2), and the ratio was ~0.6 at NIR for both fs and ns pulses.

Strong triplet excited-state absorption in a phenanthrolinyl iridium(III) complex with benzothiazolylfluorenyl-substituted ligands

Femtosecond transient difference absorption (fs TA) measurements, together with a series of open-aperture Z scans at picosecond and nanosecond pulse widths and a variety of pulse energies, were performed on a 1,10-phenanthrolinyl iridium(III) complex bearing ligands containing a benzothiazolylfluorenyl motif. An analysis of decay data from the fs TA experiment yields a value of 1.24±0.26 ns for the singlet excited-state lifetime τ(S) of the complex. By fitting the Z scans to a five-level dynamic model incorporating the independently measured value of τ(S) and previously reported values of the complex's triplet quantum yield (0.13) and triplet excited-state lifetime (230 ns), we obtain values of 3.5×10(-17) cm(2) (singlet) and 5.0×10(-16) cm(2) (triplet) for the excited-state absorption cross-sections of the complex in toluene solution at 532 nm; the latter value represents one of the largest triplet excited-state absorption cross-sections ever reported at this wavelength. The ratio of the triplet excited-state cross-section to the ground-state absorption cross-section exceeds 3800.

1-[4-(methylsulfanyl) phenyl]-3-(4-nitropshenyl) prop-2-en-1-one: A reverse saturable absorption based optical limiter

An organic nonlinear optical material “1-[4-(methylsulfanyl) phenyl]-3-(4-nitrophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one” (4MPNP) has been synthesized by Claisen–Schmidt condensation and crystallized by slow evaporation technique at ambient temperature. The functional groups present in 4MPNP molecule were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. TGA-DSC analysis in the temperature range 30oC–650 °C showed absence of phase transition before melting point. The crystal structure of 4MPNP was determined using X-ray single crystal diffraction technique. UV–Vis absorption studies were carried out in the wavelength range 190–800 nm. Beyond the cut off wavelength 4MPNP is optically transparent in the entire visible region of the spectrum. Open aperture Z-Scan experimental curve showed that the 4MPNP molecule exhibits minimum transmittance at the focus and maximum nonlinear absorptionat532 nm wavelength. The variation of normalized transmittance with laser power density indicates good optical limiting behavior of the molecule. Nonlinear optical absorption coefficient (β), excited state absorption cross-section (σex) and ground state absorption cross-section (σg) are estimated and found to be 4.5 cm/GW, 5.17 × 10−18 cm2 and 5.68 × 10−21 cm2 respectively. The values σex>>σg indicate that 4MPNP crystal has the property of reverse saturable absorption. The studies recommend that 4MPNPcan be considered as a potential material for third order nonlinear optical device applications such as optical limiters.

Third-order nonlinear optical investigations of meso-tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-N,N-dimethyl-4-anilinyl)porphyrin and its metal complexes

We report here the experimental investigation on third-order nonlinear optical parameters of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-N,N-dimethyl-4-anilinyl)porphyrin and its various metal complexes, using Z-scan technique at 532nm. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities (χ(3)) were of the order 10−12esu and are compared through degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM). The operating mechanism is reverse saturable absorption (RSA) as the effective excited-state absorption cross-section was found higher than ground state absorption cross-section as well as the magnitude of nonlinear absorption coefficient was found decreasing with on-axis input intensity. The compounds found to exhibit good optical limiting at 532nm, 7ns excitation steering applications in laser safety.

Influence of Absorption cross section of saturable absorber on Passive Q-switching laser pulse characteristics

The absorption cross section of saturable absorber influence on passive Q-switching laser pulse behavior has been studied by numerical solution of rate equations mathematical model. We report the passive Q-switching of the 2 4 4 Cr : BeAl O + (alexandrite) laser with the yttrium silicate 2 5 4 Cr :Y SiO + (Cr :YSO) solid state saturable absorber. The study shows that the behavior pulse energy, initial value of population inversion, and the laser photon number is scaling up when the ground state absorption cross section of saturable absorber increasing, while the behavior of pulse duration is scaling down.

Effect of electron acceptor type on nonlinear optical absorption properties in the chiral polymers based on polybinaphthyls

Nonlinear optical absorption properties of two chiral polybinaphthyls with the same backbone but different electron acceptor hydroxyl and octoxy were studied in tetrahydrofuran solution. When excited by 100 fs 800 nm laser pulses, the up-converted fluorescence were observed and the intensities related to the different input irradiances were measured to confirm the two-photon excited fluorescence. The two-photon absorption coefficients were obtained as 4.82 cm GW−1 and 12.36 cm GW−1 with 100 fs pulses at 800 nm for two polymers, respectively. Under the excitation of 532 nm 38 ps pulse, it was found that the polymer with the side-chain of hydroxyl showed saturable absorption while the polymer with the side-chain of octoxy presented reverse saturable absorption. Their different nonlinear absorption behavior resulted from the fact that the ground-state absorption cross-section in the latter polymer was about 10 times larger than that of the former polymer while the excited-state absorption cross-section represented similar.

Development and saturation investigation of MALO saturable absorber

The paper describes the investigation of saturation effect in newly developed MgAl2O4:Co saturable absorber with the aim of thermally bounding it with the active media such as erbium glasses. On the basis of the experimental results the most important parameters, from the point of view of laser generation, such as ground state absorption cross section, excited state absorption cross section and dissipative losses were calculated. The comparison of this parameters with the parameters presented in the literature was done showing the advantages of the newly developed saturable absorber over commercially available ones.

Ultrafast Laser Energy Density and Retinal Absorption Cross-Section Determination by Saturable Absorption Measurements

Laser pulse nonlinear transmission measurements through saturable absorbers of known absorption parameters allow the measurement of their energy density. On the other hand, nonlinear transmission measurements of laser pulses of known energy density through absorbing media allow their absorption parameter determination. The peak energy density w0P of second harmonic pulses of a mode-locked titanium sapphire laser at wavelength λP = 400 nm is determined by nonlinear energy transmission measurement TE through the dye ADS084BE (1,4-bis(9-ethyl-3-car-bazovinylene)-2-methoxy-5-(2’-ethyl-hexyloxy)-benzene) in tetrahydrofuran. TE(w0P) calibration curves are calculated for laser pulse peak energy density reading w0P from measured pulse energy transmissions TE. The ground-state absorption cross-section σP and the excited-state absorption cross-section σex at λP, and the number density N0 of the retinal Schiff base isoform RetA in pH 7.4 buffer of the blue-light adapted recombinant rhodopsin fragment of the histidine kinase rhodopsin HKR1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were determined by picosecond titanium sapphire second harmonic laser pulse energy transmission measurement TE through RetA as a function of laser input peak energy density w0P. The complete absorption cross-section spectrum σ

Resonant excited state absorption and relaxation mechanisms in Tb^3+-doped calcium aluminosilicate glasses: an investigation by thermal mirror spectroscopy

Resonant excited state absorption (ESA) and relaxation processes in Tb(3+)-doped aluminosilicate glasses are quantitatively evaluated. A model describing the excitation steps and upconversion emission is developed and applied to interpret the results from laser-induced surface deformation using thermal mirror spectroscopy. The fluorescence quantum efficiency of level (5)D(4) was found to be close to unity and concentration independent while, for the level (5)D(3), it decreases with Tb(3+) concentration. Emission spectroscopy measurements supported these results. ESA cross sections are found to be more than three orders of magnitude higher than the ground state absorption cross section.

Investigation of ground and excited state photophysical properties of gadolinium phthalocyanine

In this present work, we investigated the singlet excited state absorption (ESA) spectrum and intersystem crossing dynamics of gadolinium phthalocyanine (GdPc) in toluene. For that, we employed the femtosecond wavelength-tunable Z-scan and picosecond Pulse Train Fluorescence (PTF) techniques to determine, respectively, the singlet ESA cross-section on a wide spectral range (from 460 up to 740 nm) and the intersystem crossing time (singlet–triplet transition). We observed that the ESA spectrum presents distinct absorption behaviors, i.e., saturable (SA) and reverse saturable absorption (RSA). We have also been able to identify regions in which the excited state absorption cross-section has the same magnitude as the ground state one (at 600 and 720 nm). The RSA effect was observed for wavelengths shorter than 600 nm and longer than 720 nm, while SA occurs in the Q-band region, located between 600 and 720 nm. To describe the main singlet–singlet transitions, we measured the fluorescence decay time and employed a rate equation model considering a three-energy-level-diagram. Ratios between excited and ground state absorption cross-section from 0.4 to 4 were observed along the ESA spectrum. From these results, we calculated the transition dipole moment between the excited states for the main electronic transitions of GdPc. To obtain the intersystem crossing time, we incorporated an additional level in our model and used the PTF technique to probe the population transfer to the triplet state. Our results pointed out that the intersystem crossing time is higher than 300 ns, which corresponds to a maximum triplet quantum yield of 1.5%.

Photonic spectral modulation in bacteriorhodopsin molecules and optimization of signal wavelength

In general, in excited-state absorption (ESA) based all-optical light modulator, maximum signal intensity modulation is achieved at the wavelength corresponding to maximum excited to ground state absorption cross-section ratio. However, theoretical analysis of photonic spectral modulation of broadband signal beam based on ESA in bacteriorhodopsin (BR) provides counterintuitive interesting results in the signal wavelength region 460–700nm. It is shown that the signal modulation is enhanced significantly at some particular wavelength values (optimum signal wavelength). Optimum signal wavelength in the region 450–700nm, varies with modulating intensity, and does not correspond to the peak absorption wavelength of the longer lived intermediate states. Present analysis is very useful in designing ESA based power efficient photonic devices.

Nonlinear optical and all-optical switching studies of novel ruthenium complex

We report the experimental investigation on third-order nonlinear optical parameters of a novel (2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato) triphenylphosphine Ru (III) [RuL] both in solution and solid form, by using Z-scan technique at the measurement wavelength of 532nm. The films were prepared by spin-coating technique on glass substrate. The magnitude and sign of the third-order nonlinear absorption and refractive index n2 of ruthenium complex were determined. The results reveal that ruthenium complex exhibits large negative nonlinear refractive index (n2) of the order of 10−9esu. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ(3)) values were of the order 10−10esu. The nonlinear optical properties were found to vary with concentration. The χ(3) value is confirmed through degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM) experiment at the same wavelength. The effective excited-state absorption cross section was found to be larger than the ground state absorption cross section indicating that the operating nonlinear mechanism is reverse saturable absorption (RSA). It was found that the ruthenium complex exhibits good optical power limiting and also all-optical switching of nanosecond laser pulses. This new compound has potential application as photonic and optoelectronic devices.

Enhanced 1.5 μm and green upconversion emissions in Y2O3:Er3+ nanoparticles codoped with Li+ ions

We report on a simple route to greatly improve the 1.5μm and green upconversion photoluminescence simultaneously in Y2O3:Er3+ nanocrystals through tailoring Er3+ ions' local environment with Li+ ions under diode laser excitation of 976nm. Cell parameters of the nanoparticles indicate that Er3+ ions' local environment was adjusted by the codoped Li+ ions. Theoretical investigations based on the steady-state rate equations indicate that the PL enhancement arises mainly from the increased ground state absorption cross section of Er3+ ions by codoping Li+ ions.

Two-photon induced excited-state absorption and optical limiting properties in a chiral polymer

The nonlinear absorption and optical limiting properties of a chiral polymer were investigated by employing Z-scan technique in femtosecond regime. Reverse saturable absorption was observed in the polymer at 800 nm and the nonlinear absorption coefficient of 5.97 cm/GW was obtained at the irradiance of 2.75 GW/cm2. The nonlinear absorption coefficient versus the input irradiance was measured to meet a linear increasing function, giving evidence of two-photon induced excited-state absorption existing. Particularly, the chiral polymer was shown to possess a large ratio (∼251) of excited-state to ground-state absorption cross-section and a remarkable optical limiting behavior was achieved in it.

Saturable absorption of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/hybrid-glass composites

The saturated optical absorption of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-doped hybrid-glass composites was studied at 1064 nm with nanosecond long pulses using the Z-scan technique. Increased transmission was demonstrated for high intensity pulses. The results were modeled for the limiting cases of a slow or a fast saturable absorber, both referring to a three-level system. The ground-state absorption cross section was estimated as 2.3x10−18 cm2, in good agreement with that of a single carbon atom. The excited state absorption cross section for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was estimated for the first time as 6.9x10−19 cm3. The absorber's density of 2.8x1018 cm−3 is smaller by approximately a factor of 5 compared to the nominal density of carbon atoms incorporated into the glass. This could be a result of the broad band-like states formation in the MWNTs. The above figures were obtained by assuming that the excited state decay time was longer than the pulse duration of ~1 ns.