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Published on: July 19, 2016
Saturable absorption in composites doped with metal nanoparticles
Kwang-Hyon Kim1, Anton Husakou, Joachim Herrmann
1Max-Born-Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy, Max-Born-Str 2a, Berlin D-12489, Germany.
Optics Express
|October 14, 2010
Summary
Metal-nanoparticle composites exhibit strong saturable absorption near surface plasmon resonance, making them ideal for laser mode locking. Their nonlinear refractive index properties are tunable for broad spectral applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Saturable absorption and nonlinear refractive index are crucial for advanced optical devices.
- Metal-nanoparticle composites offer unique optical properties due to surface plasmon resonance.
- Developing efficient saturable absorbers for lasers, especially in the visible spectrum, remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the saturable absorption and nonlinear refractive index of metal-nanoparticle composites.
- To explore the potential of these composites as saturable absorbers for laser applications.
- To analyze the influence of particle shape, size, and material composition on optical properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified self-consistent Maxwell-Garnett formalism for spherical nanoparticles.
- Employed a generalized discrete-dipole formalism for arbitrary particle shapes and sizes.
- Analyzed fused silica doped with silver nanoparticles to validate theoretical models.
Main Results:
- Observed strongest saturation of loss near the surface plasmon resonance, with saturation intensity around 10 MW/cm(2).
- Found that the nonlinear refractive index decreases with increasing intensity and its sign is frequency and filling factor dependent.
- Demonstrated that these composites can function as saturable absorbers down to 400 nm.
Conclusions:
- Metal-nanoparticle composites show significant potential as broadband saturable absorbers for lasers.
- The tunable nonlinear optical properties make them suitable for mode-locking applications across a wide spectral range.
- These materials address the need for effective saturable absorbers in spectral regions where they are currently lacking.
