Nonlinear Absorption Behavior Research Articles

Tailoring epsilon-near-zero wavelength and nonlinear absorption properties of CdO thin films by Mo doping

Cadmium oxide (CdO) has recently attracted attention as a material with controllable properties tailored for optoelectronic and nanophotonic devices due to its superior mobility. However, its potential application in near-infrared (NIR) remains to be explored. In this work, we demonstrate that the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) wavelength and nonlinear optical properties of CdO films can be effectively tuned by Mo doping. The results show that Mo doping increases the electron concentration as well as improve the crystalline quality of CdO. With increasing Mo doping, we achieve blueshifts of the ENZ wavelength from 2.89 to 1.56 μm. The nonlinear absorption (NLA) behavior at 1550 nm changes from reverse saturable absorption to saturable absorption with increasing Mo content. Moreover, significant improvement in NLA performance with nonlinear absorption coefficient β = −72 cm/GW is observed at the highest doping content. Our work shows that doped CdO films with tunable optoelectrical and nonlinear optical properties can be an ideal candidate for optoelectronic and nanophotonic application in the NIR region.

Spectrally resolved nonlinearities within a laser pulse in a single-scan and spectrometer-based nonlinear optical probing.

The intricate spectrally resolved optical nonlinearities resulting from a spectrally broad femtosecond Gaussian laser pulse have been unraveled using a single-scan and spectrometer-based nonlinear optical probing technique. The interaction of the broad femtosecond laser pulse with a strongly absorbing organic dye has unveiled a remarkably distinct nonlinear absorption behavior across the broad spectral window. The nonlinear absorption behavior unveils an unusual transition from the reverse saturation absorption (RSA) to the saturation absorption (SA) as we sweep the wavelength on both sides of the central wavelength of the excitation laser pulse. A competition between the band-filling and excited-state absorption results in such a dramatic switch-over from the RSA to the SA due to the variation of the intensity distribution across the Gaussian pulse spectrum. On the other hand, the nonlinear refraction studies dictate more over the constant Kerr-type positive nonlinear refractive indices across the entire laser pulse, with a pronounced contribution from the nonlinear absorption phase dominating at the center of the pulse. The presented technique establishes a robust and simple spectrometer-based technique that offers new, to the best of our knowledge, avenues for estimating optical nonlinearities for rapid nonlinear optical measurements.

Enhanced nonlinear absorption and photoluminescence properties of Zn, Fe, Cu, V and Ni doped MoO3 transition metal oxide thin films

Abstract In this study, the effect of the dopant element on the linear, nonlinear absorption and optical limiting properties of ultrasonically sprayed MoO3 thin films is presented. The linear optical results showed an increase with the density of the defect states in the bandgap with doping, in conjunction with a decrease in bandgap energy and an increase in Urbach energy. Broad photoluminescence emissions are detected in the range of 350 and 600 nm, decreasing in intensity by doping. To reveal the defect states effects’ on the nonlinear absorption (NA) behavior, OA Z-scan data were analyzed with two theoretical models considering only two photon absorption (2PA) (model 1), and one photon absorption (OPA), 2PA and free carrier absorption (model 2). The NA behavior is observed and found to get enhanced by increasing input intensity and doping atoms due to generation of new oxygen vacancies and formation of further defect states. The NA coefficient values of the thin films in model 2 are 100 times higher than that of 2PA coefficient values in model 1. This result revealed the strong effect of defect states on the NA behavior. Among the investigated dopant atoms, Cu resulted in enhanced NA due to the higher density of defect states. While the genuine 2PA is the dominant NA mechanism for V and Fe doped MoO3 thin films, OPA and 2PA are the dominant NA mechanisms for the Ni, Zn and Cu doped MoO3 thin films due to their higher concentration of defect states. Cu-doped MoO3 thin film has a lower optical limiting threshold of 0.026 mJ/cm2 due to its enhanced NA behavior. Considering the results obtained, this study opens the door to the potential of doped MoO3 thin films to be used as optical limiters in the visible wavelength region.

Influence of defects on the linear and nonlinear optical properties of Cu-doped rutile TiO2 microflowers.

Defects and disorder work as controlling parameters to alter the electronic structure of nanostructures and significantly influence their electronic, magnetic, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. In this study, we found that defect engineering is an effective strategy for tailoring the linear and nonlinear optical properties of Cu-doped titanium oxide (TiO2) flower-shaped nanostructures. The concentration of chemical doping of Cu in the TiO2 lattice creates intermediate defect states that impact electronic bandgap reduction and tunable defect luminescence. The estimation of the bandgap from density functional theory calculation follows the same trend of bandgap narrowing with Cu doping. The XPS study reveals that oxygen defects are responsible for bandgap narrowing and quenching of the PL intensity. A single-beam Z-scan technique with open and closed aperture configurations using ultrashort pulses centered at 532 nm excitation wavelength was used to study the NLO measurements. The open aperture reveals saturable absorption, whereas the closed aperture shows self-focusing behavior. The nonlinear absorption coefficient and refractive index extracted from NLO measurements demonstrate the linear dependence on the defect concentration and bandgap. The effects of heterogeneous dopants and lattice disorder on the nonlinear absorption behavior of these nanostructures are discussed in comparison with the figure of merit, non-linear refractive index, and absorption coefficient. The tunable NLO properties achieved by controlling such dopant-induced defects boost the scope of these nanostructures as optical limiting, optical switching, and optical photodiode applications.

Study on interface engineering and chemical bonding of the ReS2@ZnO heterointerface for efficient charge transfer and nonlinear optical conversion efficiency.

Rhenium sulfide (ReS2) has emerged as a promising two-dimensional material, demonstrating broad-spectrum visible absorption properties that make it highly relevant for diverse optoelectronic applications. Manipulating and optimizing the pathway of photogenerated carriers play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of charge separation and transfer in novel semiconductor composites. This study focuses on the strategic construction of a semiconductor heterostructure by synthesizing ZnO on vacancy-containing ReS2 (VRe-ReS2) through chemical bonding processes. The ingeniously engineered built-in electric field within the heterostructure effectively suppresses the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. A direct and well-established interfacial connection between VRe-ReS2 and ZnO is achieved through a robust Zn-S bond. This distinctive bond configuration leads to enhanced nonlinear optical conversion efficiency, attributed to shortened carrier migration distances and accelerated charge transfer rates. Furthermore, theoretical calculations unveil the superior chemical interactions between Re vacancies and sulfide moieties, facilitating the formation of Zn-S bonds. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity is increased by the formation of VRe-ReS2 and ZnO heterostructure and the PL quantum yield of VRe-ReS2 is improved. The intricate impact of the Zn-S bond on the nonlinear absorption behavior of the VRe-ReS2@ZnO heterostructure is systematically investigated using femtosecond Z-scan techniques. The charge transfer from ZnO to ReS2 defect levels induces a transition from saturable absorption to reverse saturable absorption in the VRe-ReS2@ZnO heterostructure. Transient absorption measurements further confirm the presence of the Zn-S bond between the interfaces, as evidenced by the prolonged relaxation time (τ3) in the VRe-ReS2@ZnO heterostructure. This study offers valuable insights into the rational construction of heterojunctions through tailored interfacial bonding and surface/interface charge transfer pathways. These endeavors facilitate the modulation of electron transfer dynamics, ultimately yielding superior nonlinear optical conversion efficiency and effective charge regulation in optoelectronic functional materials.

Superior optical limiting performance of lead-free metal halide perovskites nano-crystals embedded chalcogenide glass

The nonlinear optical properties of metal halide perovskites (MHP) are highly attractive, making them an emerging hotspot in the field of perovskite photonics. In this study, the third-order optical nonlinear properties of lead-free MHP (CsSnCl3) nano-crystals (NCs) embedded in a chalcogenide glass (GeS2-Sb2S3) substrate were characterized using the Z-scan technique. The spectral range examined was from 750 to 900 nm. Experimental results revealed that the incorporation of CsSnCl3 NCs enhanced the nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption behavior of the GeS2-Sb2S3 glass. Furthermore, the magnitude of these effects increased with the growth size of the CsSnCl3 NCs. Importantly, the MHP glasses exhibited strong two-photon absorption due to the large multiple-absorption cross-section of MHP crystals and the intrinsic high optical nonlinearity of the chalcogenide glass. The superior optical limiting performance induced by this process was successfully demonstrated.

Highly stable pulsed fiber laser generation modulated by chromium iodide film

Abstract Highly stable pulsed fiber lasers are key optical components in optical communication, optical sensing, and precision micromachining systems due to the high beam quality, high peak power, and compact configurations. However, the available optical modulators in the fiber laser suffer from the operation bandwidth limitations and poor long-term physicochemical stability. Here, we have investigated the broadband nonlinear optical absorption behavior of the chromium iodide (CrI3) film, which exhibits broadband saturable absorption towards the mid-infrared regime and excellent long-term stability. The conventional soliton fiber laser operating at telecom wavelength has been obtained from an Er3+-doped fiber laser (EDFL) utilizing CrI3 film with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 92.4 dB and a pulse width of 492 fs. In addition, a passively Q-switched operation around 2.8 μm has also been obtained from an Er3+-doped ZBLAN fiber laser (EDZFL) modulated by the CrI3 film with a SNR of 46.8 dB and a pulse width of 766 ns. The demonstration shows that the CrI3 film exhibits robust broadband optical modulation, and may make inroads for developing highly stable ultrafast optoelectronic devices.

Using femtosecond laser pulses to explore the nonlinear optical properties of a CR-39 polymer after being exposed to alpha particles

The effect of alpha particle radiation on nonlinear optical properties of poly(allyl diglycol carbonate) (CR-39) polymer has been investigated using the Z-scan technique. CR-39 polymers were exposed to alpha particles at different doses: 23.7 and 47.5 Gy. Alpha particles cause significant optical and chemical changes in the polymer CR-39. Data from UV-visible spectrometers revealed that when alpha particle doses increased, the absorption edge of polymer redshifted and the energy band gap decreased. Fourier transform infrared absorption spectra of alpha irradiation samples show a change in intensity and bond breakage in the chemical groups constituting the CR-39 polymer compared to the pristine one. With 100 fs laser pulses and 80 MHz repetition rate, the nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear refractive index are measured for a pristine and irradiated polymer with different alpha doses at different excitation wavelengths and laser peak power. The samples displayed a negative nonlinear refractive index and reverse saturable absorption behavior with three photons absorption. The results reveal that the nonlinear optical properties of CR-39 were enhanced by alpha particle radiation.

Strain and interface engineering of MoS2 nanosheets decorated with Ag nanoparticles and its light-matter coupling in photoexcitation

The interfacial stress and electron transfer of metal decorates transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are very important for the novel two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor optoelectronic device technology in the future. Herein, strain and interface engineering of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets decorated with Ag nanoparticles (Ag/MoS2) for controlled charge transfer and electron excitation-relaxation is presented. The effect of strong random scattering on the transport and electron localization phenomena of MoS2 is experimentally investigated. Exploring the charge fast transfer channel constructed by the plasma structure and the separated excited states of Ag, as well as explains the regulating mechanism of the optical absorption for TMDs in time domain. The finite-difference time-domain near-light field is used to simulate the effect of Ag content on the electromagnetic field distribution of MoS2, and then the modification of MoS2 is determined by controlling Ag content. Whilst, we can reveal the excellent light material interaction effect and ultrafast electron transfer mechanism of heterojunction surface contact sites. The E12g peak undergoes splitting, which originates from the lattice mismatch between Ag particles with plasma structure and MoS2, confirming the strong interfacial stress effect between them. On the basis of interfacial stress as well as the effective charge transfer, the Ag/MoS2 composites exhibit excellent excitation and emission behaviors. The local surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag nanoparticles is expected to adjust of nonlinear optical for TMDs. Specifically, we will regulate the ultrafast laser photon induced nonlinear absorption behavior by adjusting the Ag content and contact mode. The local strain generation on the Ag/TMDs boundary provides a new method for the design of new heterogeneous materials, and will be of great significance to investigate the contact physical behavior and application between metals decorates two-dimensional semiconductors.

Tunable nonlinear absorption and optical limiting behavior of NaBi(MoxW1−xO4)2 single crystals with ratio of Molybdenum/Tungsten

The compositional effect of Mo/W ratio on linear, nonlinear absorption and optical limiting behavior of the NaBi(MoxW1−xO4)2 single crystals grown by Czochralski technique was investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns of the studied crystals presented well-defined peaks associated with the tetragonal crystalline structure. The nonlinear absorption performance and optical limiting threshold were determined using an open-aperture Z-scan technique. A theoretical model including one photon absorption (OPA), two photon absorption (TPA) and free carrier absorption was used to determine the nonlinear absorption parameters. All of the results showed that defect states, which strongly affect nonlinear absorption (NA) and optical limiting behaviors, can be tuned with the Mo/W ratio, enabling NaBi(MoxW1−xO4)2 single crystals to be used in desired optoelectronic applications. Linear optical absorption analysis revealed that bandgap energy and defect states can be tuned by changing the Mo/W ratio in the crystal structure. The obtained results showed that all the studied crystals had NA behavior and the nonlinear absorption coefficient decreased with increasing Mo/W ratio. Sequential TPA is the main NA mechanism for these crystals due to the fact that the incident light energy is lower than the bandgap energies and the existence of the real intermediate state around 2.32 eV.

Ultrafast optical nonlinearity in natural van der Waals heterostructure nanosheets of franckeite

Franckeite, a natural van der Waals heterostructure with excellent physicochemical characteristics, has shown great potential for high-performance optoelectronic device. Here, the few-layer franckeite nanosheets have been prepared by liquid phase-exfoliation method successfully, and the nonlinear optical absorption and carrier dynamics behaviors of the nanosheets have been studied experimentally. The franckeite nanosheets show wavelength- and intensity-dependent nonlinear absorption characteristics, and exhibit ultrafast carrier dynamic process. The ultrafast optical nonlinearity in franckeite nanosheets has been further validated via an Er3+-doped fiber laser to deliver stable femtosecond pulse. The experimental results reveal that franckeite heterostructure nanosheets can be an ideal candidate in the design and manufacture of ultrafast nonlinear optoelectronic devices.

Dinuclear indium phthalocyanine doped in PMMA glass used as nonlinear optical limiter

A novel dinuclear indium phthalocyanine (In-Pc-In) is synthesized and doped in PMMA, the resulting In-Pc-In-PMMA can greatly suppress aggregation between Pc units. As a result, the In-Pc-In-PMMA show superior nonlinear absorption behaviors than the In-Pc-In-THF samples.

Ultrafast nonlinear absorption with multiple transformations and transient dynamics of gold nanobipyramids.

The process and condition of saturable absorption (SA) and reverse saturable absorption (RSA) of ultrafast nonlinear optics in metal nanoparticles are essential for applications including light generation, amplification, modulation, and switching. Here, we first discover and explore the multiple transformations (SA-RSA-SA) of ultrafast nonlinear absorption behavior of metal nanoparticles in femtosecond pulses. Correspondingly, the energy level model and fitting formula of multiple transformations are established to illustrate the process of optical response. The femtosecond transient absorption spectra provide information about their ultrafast dynamics process and vibrational mode, which further reveals the multiple transformation mechanisms of nonlinear absorption in gold nanobipyramids (Au-NBPs). Furthermore, Au-NBPs exhibit a significantly higher SA modulation depth up to 42% in the femtosecond, which is much higher than the reported values of other nanomaterials. Our results indicate that Au-NBPs can be used as broadband ultrafast Q-switching and mode-locking, and the conversion offers new opportunities for metal nanostructures in applications of optical switching.

Two photon absorption induced optical limiting action of L-Aspartic acid monohydrate

The organic l-Aspartate Monohydrate (L-AspMH) crystal is grown by slow evaporation technique. Single crystal XRD analysis reveals that L-AspMH belongs to an orthorhombic system with P 21 21 21 space group. The inter-contacts in the crystal structure are analyzed using the Hirshfeld surface analysis. To support the experimental results, quantum chemical calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) are done. The molecular structure of L-AspMH crystal is optimized by DFT/B3LYP functional, 6–311G++(d,p) basis set. The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra are also stimulated and validated experimentally. The blue-shift in the O–H stretching wavenumbers is due to the presence of O–H⋯O hydrogen bonding. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO: −7.409 eV) energy, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO: −0.927 eV) energy and energy gap (6.483 eV) of the AspMH crystal is calculated. The hyper conjugative and inter/intra molecular interactions have been investigated through the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis. UV–vis absorption studies shows the material exhibit absorbance maxima in the UV (204 nm) region and high transmittance in the Visible-NIR (340–900 nm) region. The predicted first order hyperpolarizability is found to be 13 times greater than that of urea. Third-order nonlinear optical property of the crystal is studied using Z-scan technique under nanopulsed Nd:YAG laser. L-AspMH exhibit intensity dependent nonlinear absorption behaviour was witnessed with M-type (2.46 × 1012 W/m2) at lower on-axis input intensity and reverse saturable absorption (4.98 × 1012 W/m2) at higher on-axis input intensity. The material demonstrates sequential two absorption induced optical limiting action. Higher two-photon absorption coefficient (0.56 × 10−10 m/W) and lower onset optical limiting threshold (5.41 × 1012 W/m2) makes AspMH a potential candidate for optical limiting devices.

Double transformation of the nonlinear absorption in silver nanoparticles.

The nonlinear absorption of 40 nm Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was investigated using open aperture (OA) Z-scan technique at 532 nm. Experiments show that the nonlinear absorption behavior of Ag NPs is intensity dependent. Specifically, under low laser energy the Ag NPs shows saturable absorption (SA). At medium laser energy, the transformation of nonlinear absorption from SA to reverse saturable absorption (RSA) happens. While under stronger laser energy, double transformation (SA→RSA→SA) of nonlinear absorption occurs. The experimental results were analyzed theoretically using a model based on single-photon absorption and two-photon absorption saturation.

Crystalline Phase Effects on the Nonlinear Optical Response of MoS2 and WS2 Nanosheets: Implications for Photonic and Optoelectronic Applications

In the present work, some MoS2 and WS2 nanosheets were prepared and characterized. Depending on the preparation procedures, trigonal prismatic (2H) or octahedral (1T) coordination of the metal atoms was obtained, exhibiting metallic (1T) or semiconducting (2H) character. Both MoS2 and WS2 nanosheets were found exhibiting large nonlinear optical (NLO) responses, strongly dependent on their metallic (1T) or semiconducting (2H) character. Therefore, the semiconducting character of MoS2 and WS2 exhibits positive nonlinear absorption and strong self-focusing behavior, while their metallic character counterparts exhibit strong negative nonlinear absorption and important self-defocusing behavior. In addition, the semiconducting MoS2 and WS2 were found exhibiting important and very broadband optical limiting (OL) action extending from 450 to 1750 nm. Therefore, by selecting the crystalline phase of the nanosheets, that is, their semiconduction/metallic character, their NLO response can be greatly modulated. The results of the present work demonstrate unambiguously that the control of the crystalline phase of MoS2 and WS2 provides an efficient strategy for 2D nanostructures with custom-made NLO properties for specific optoelectronic and photonic applications such as OL, saturable absorption, and optical switching.

Third order nonlinear optical absorption studies of Cr3+ doped PbWO4 nanostructures

We report the synthesis of Cr3+ doped PbWO4 nanoparticles with different concentration of Cr3+ through chemical method. The structural, morphological and optical characterization was studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, UV–Visible spectra, Photoluminescence, X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) and Transmission electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). The XRD patterns revealed the tetragonal phase of stolzite and the peaks are highly crystalline structure with no segregation of Cr3+. UV–Vis absorption spectra reveal that the shift of absorption band edge towards higher wavelength upon doping of Cr3+ions. The average particle size of the nanostructure as revealed by the TEM image lies around 47 nm. Third order nonlinearity of Cr3+ doped PbWO4 nanoparticles were analysed by the standard Z-scan technique using 532 nm Nd: YAG laser. The observed nonlinear absorption (NLA) and nonlinear refraction (NLR) behavior is caused by thermal nonlinear effects due to localized heating. Experimental results have demonstrated that an increase in optical nonlinearity occurs with higher Cr3+ concentrations. Based on the observed nonlinearity it is suggested that the synthesized nanostructures could be used in various optical device applications.

Nonlinear optical absorption characteristics of PbMoO4 single crystal for optical limiter applications

Molybdate materials take great interest due to their photocatalytic and optoelectronic applications. In this report, PbMoO4 single crystal, one of the member of molybdate materials, is grown by Czochralski technique and the change of nonlinear absorption characteristic depending on the input intensity was reported. Linear absorption analysis revealed the band gap energy and Urbach energy as to be 3.12 and 0.52 eV, respectively. Nonlinear absorption characteristics of the PbMoO4 single crystal was examined with the open aperture (OA) Z-scan experiments at 532 nm excitation wavelength under various input intensities. Fitting results of the OA Z-scan experiments indicated that PbMoO4 single crystal has nonlinear absorption (NA) behavior, and NA coefficient (βeff) increased from 7.11 × 10−8 to 1.96 × 10−7 m/W with increasing input intensity. This observation was associated with the increase of the contribution of the free carrier absorption to the NA with the generation of more excited electrons with increasing input intensity. At the 532 nm excitation wavelength (2.32 eV), the dominant mechanisms were revealed as one photon and free carrier absorptions. The optical limiting threshold of the PbMoO4 single crystal was obtained to be 4.91 mJ/cm2. The reported results indicated that PbMoO4 single crystal can be a good optical limiter in the visible wavelength region due to its effective NA behavior.

The role of defects on the transition from saturable absorption to nonlinear absorption of Bi12GeO20 single crystal under increasing laser excitation

This work reports defect and input intensity dependent nonlinear optical behaviors of Bi12GeO20 (BGO) single crystal. Open aperture (OA) Z-scan experiments were performed with 532 nm excitation wavelength under 4 ns and 100 fs pulsed laser irradiation. Obtained data were fitted with a theoretical model considering one-photon, two-photon and free carrier absorption contributions to nonlinear absorption due to longer lifetime of localized defect states than that of used laser pulse durations. At low input intensities, the BGO single crystal showed saturable absorption (SA) behavior and transition to nonlinear absorption (NA) behavior observed with further increase of the input intensities both of pulse durations. At low input intensity, the OPA mechanism is dominant and results in SA by filling of the defect states due to defect state at around one photon energy (2.32 eV). At higher input intensity, multi-photon, two-photon and free carrier absorption become dominant mechanisms, and nonlinear absorption behavior was observed. The lowest saturation threshold was found as 1.36 × 1010 W/cm2 with nanosecond pulses. We have revealed the mechanisms contributing both SA and NA, and determined saturation intensity threshold and effective nonlinear absorption coefficients. Our findings indicate that the tails of defect states overlap in the energy band gaps especially in sufficiently disordered crystal. With this way, the spectral range for saturable absorption and nonlinear absorption can be broadened.

The role of defects in the nonlinear optical absorption behavior of pristine and Co-doped V2O5 layered 2D nanostructures

V2O5 nanostructures doped with 1% Co have been successfully synthesized by simple hydrothermal method. Structural and morphological aspects, vibrational spectra and optical properties (linear and nonlinear) of pristine as well as Co-doped V2O5 (V2O5:Co) nanoparticles are investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that both V2O5 and Co doped V2O5 are stabilized in an orthorhombic structure. Energy band gaps measured using the Tauc plot give 2.24 eV for V2O5 and 2.16 eV for Co doped V2O5. When excited using 5 ns laser pulses at 532 nm in the open aperture Z-scan configuration, pristine as well as Co-doped V2O5 nanoparticles are found to show excellent nonlinear absorption, which arises from strong reverse saturable absorption occurring in the sample at this wavelength. The corresponding effective two-photon absorption coefficients are in the range of 10−11 to 10−12 m/W, and effective three-photon absorption coefficients are in the range of 10−22 to 10−23 m3/W2. When excited at the same wavelength using a continuous wave laser beam, the effective two-photon absorption coefficient gets enhanced to 10−6 m/W. These results confirm the suitability of V2O5 and Co-doped V2O5 nanoparticles for the fabrication of optical limiter devices for the protection of human eyes and sensitive optical detectors from hazardous laser radiation.