Optics Express · 2005 · 217 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesChemistryMaterials ScienceHeat TransferOptical MaterialsOpticsLaser OpticsLaser PhysicsNonlinear Optical MaterialsNonlinear OpticsOptical SpectroscopyUltrafast OpticsHigh-power LasersLasersNonlinear AbsorptionNonlinear Optical ResponseNonlinear Optical SpectroscopyNonlinear SpectroscopyThermal EffectsThermal Properties
The study demonstrates a simple method for applying Z‑scan with high‑repetition‑rate lasers that manages cumulative thermal effects. The method records the time evolution of the Z‑scan signal and uses time‑correlation analysis to extrapolate the instantaneous nonlinear optical response. The method enables clear determination of the absorption order of thermo‑optical nonlinearities and, with a 76 MHz, 120 fs laser, measures third‑order nonlinearities and thermal properties of CS2 and toluene that agree with low‑repetition‑rate results. Citation: Falconieri, J.
We demonstrate the effectiveness of a simple method for using Z-scan technique with high repetition rate lasers managing cumulative thermal effects. Following Falconieri [J. Opt. A, 1 (1999) 662], time evolution of Z-scan signal is recorded. We use data time correlation to extrapolate with accuracy the instantaneous nonlinear optical response of the sample. The method employed allows us to clearly evaluate the order of the absorption process underlying the thermo-optical nonlinearities. Using a 76 MHz repetition rate laser with 120 fs pulsewidth we measure third order nonlinearities and thermal properties of CS2 and toluene in accordance with values obtained with low repetition rate light sources.