Optical Power Limiting Behavior Of Novel Nonlinear Optical Polymers

Saukwan Lo; Samson A. Jenekhe; Stephen T. Wellinghoff

doi:10.1117/12.941975

4 February 1988 Optical Power Limiting Behavior Of Novel Nonlinear Optical Polymers

Saukwan Lo, Samson A. Jenekhe, Stephen T. Wellinghoff

Proceedings Volume 0824, Advances in Nonlinear Polymers and Inorganic Crystals, Liquid Crystals and Laser Media; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.941975
Event: 31st Annual Technical Symposium on Optical and Optoelectronic Applied Sciences and Engineering, 1987, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Optical power limiting behavior is demonstrated in several nonlinear optical polymers and organic model compounds that exhibit third-order optical nonlinearities. A remarkably sharp intensity-limiting behavior was observed in nonlinear transmission measure-ments of output versus input intensities at 1064 nm laser light without an aperture. The soluble novel organic polymers were found to exhibit both absorptive and refractive nonlinear optical effects that were evidenced by nonlinear absorption and temporal pulse steepening measurements. Nonlinear absorption coefficient (α2) and nonlinear index of refraction (n2) as high as 10 -7 cm/W and 10 -11 cm respectively were obtained at 1064 nm using a nanosecond Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The observed nonlinearities decreased when measured with a 35 picosecond mode-lock laser. However, since the observed nonlinearities were independent of the energy density of the laser irradiation, it is suggested that the nonlinear mechanism is not thermal in origin. Solutions and solid films of the organic materials were studied. Intensity-limiting thresholds as low as 10 MW/cm2 and laser damage threshold greater than 10 GW/cm2 were obtained. It is suggested that nonlinear optical polymers hold promise for applications in passive optical limiting and regulating devices.

Citation Download Citation

Saukwan Lo, Samson A. Jenekhe, and Stephen T. Wellinghoff "Optical Power Limiting Behavior Of Novel Nonlinear Optical Polymers", Proc. SPIE 0824, Advances in Nonlinear Polymers and Inorganic Crystals, Liquid Crystals and Laser Media, (4 February 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.941975

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