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Title: Surface plasmon enhanced third-order optical nonlinearity of Ag nanocomposite film

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4869443· OSTI ID:22257817
 [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Applied Science, N.C. College of Engineering, Israna, Panipat 132107, Haryana (India)
  2. Department of Physics, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa 125055, Haryana (India)

We obtain a large third-order optical nonlinearity (χ{sup (3)} ≈ 10{sup −10}esu) of silver nanoparticles dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol/tetraethyl orthosilicate matrix using single beam z-scan technique at 532 nm by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. We have shown that mechanisms responsible for third-order optical nonlinearity of Ag nanocomposite film are reverse saturable absorption (RSA) and self-defocusing in the purlieu of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Optical band-gap and width of SPR band of Ag nanocomposite film decrease with increasing silver concentration, which leads to enhancement of local electric field and hence third-order optical nonlinearity. Optical limiting, due to RSA has also been demonstrated at 532 nm.

OSTI ID:
22257817
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English