Keywords

Z-scan, white-light continuum, nonlinear material characterization

Abstract

The main goal of this dissertation is to introduce and demonstrate a new method for the rapid determination of the nonlinear absorption spectra and the dispersion of the nonlinear refraction of optical materials in the visible and near IR spectral regions. However, conventional methods like, white-light continuum pump-probe and Z-scan techniques were used to measure the peak 2PA cross-sections for a number of commercially available photoinitiators. In the new method mentioned above, a high energy, broadband femtosecond white-light continuum is used to replace the single wavelength source conventionally used in a Z-scan experiment. In a Z-scan experiment, the transmittance of a focused beam through a sample is monitored as the sample travels through the focus, in the Z direction, along the focused beam. Providing the sample exhibits nonlinear absorption and/or refraction, the detector monitors a change in transmittance and/or a change in the beam divergence (if the energy is partially collected through an aperture in front of the detector). Replacing the single wavelength source with a white-light continuum allows for a much faster way of measuring nonlinear absorption/refraction spectra. This could eliminate the need for using other tunable sources (e.g. Optical Parameter Generators/Amplifiers) for nonlinear measurements. These sources made nonlinear spectroscopy using Z-scan experiments a time consuming task. This new source/method allows for rapid and simultaneous measurement of the nonlinear absorption spectrum and the dispersion of the nonlinear refraction. We have confirmed the functionality of the continuum as a source for nonlinear optical characterization of materials by using it to perform Z-scans on the well characterized semiconductors ZnSe and ZnS and on solutions of organic dyes.

Notes

If this is your thesis or dissertation, and want to learn how to access it or for more information about readership statistics, contact us at STARS@ucf.edu

Graduation Date

2006

Semester

Summer

Advisor

Van Stryland, Eric

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Degree Program

Optics

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0001241

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0001241

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

Download

Share

COinS