Picosecond CO/sub 2/ laser-induced self-defocusing in InSb
Self-defocusing of 45 ps CO/sub 2/ laser pulses was observed in InSb at intensities as low as 1 MW/cm/sup 2/. This self-defocusing was caused by the two-photon absorption generated free carriers and the resulting self-phase modulation. In addition to demonstrating spatial beam modulation in this material at 10.6 ..mu..m, the present experiment also confirms directly that such a process occurs on a picosecond time scale. This information is important in order to increase the switching speed of infrared optical bistable devices to the picosecond regime. Furthermore, the present self-defocusing experiment also provided an accurate determination of the two-photon absorption coefficient in InSb. The value of 2.5 cm/MW obtained agrees exactly with a previous study. Other applications to continuum and ultrashort pulse generation are also discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, State Univ. of New York at Buffalo, Amherst, NY 14260
- OSTI ID:
- 5742952
- Journal Information:
- IEEE J. Quant. Electron.; (United States), Vol. QE-23:11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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OPTICAL PROPERTIES
TIN ALLOYS
ABSORPTION
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
CHARGE CARRIERS
FOCUSING
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LASER MATERIALS
MODULATION
OPERATION
PULSE GENERATORS
PULSE RISE TIME
PULSES
ALLOYS
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ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
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360104* - Metals & Alloys- Physical Properties
420300 - Engineering- Lasers- (-1989)