Third-order nonlinear-optical parameters of gold nanoparticles in different matrices

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2007.02.021
• Publication Date: 2007-02-26T18:58:32Z
• Authors: A.I. Ryasnyanskiy; B. Palpant; S. Debrus; U. Pal; A. Stepanov
• Keywords: Z-scan technique; Nanosecond

Third-order nonlinear-optical properties of gold natioparticles embedded in Al2O3, ZnO and SiO2 have been investigated by the Z-scan method at the wavelength of 532 nm using nanosecond Nd3+:YAG laser radiation. The nonlinear refractive index, nonlinear absorption coefficient, and the real and imaginary parts of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility are deduced. The results of the investigation of nonlinear refraction using the off-axis Z-scan configuration are presented and the mechanisms responsible for the nonlinear response are discussed. The prevailing influence of the electronic Kerr effect over the possible thermo-optical contribution is demonstrated. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.