Optical Limiting In Media With Absorbing Microparticles

Kamjou Mansour; E. W. Van Stryland; M. J. Soileau

doi:10.1117/12.960615

30 August 1989 Optical Limiting In Media With Absorbing Microparticles

Kamjou Mansour, E. W. Van Stryland, M. J. Soileau

Proceedings Volume 1105, Materials for Optical Switches, Isolators, and Limiters; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960615
Event: SPIE 1989 Technical Symposium on Aerospace Sensing, 1989, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

We have characterized the nonlinearities observed in suspensions of carbon black particles in liquids (CBS). We have developed a preliminary explanation of the optical limiting characteristic of the CBS that qualitatively explains the low thresholds, broad-band response and other limiting characteristics. In this model, the microscopic carbon particles are heated by linear absorption to a temperature at which a plasma can be created by the optical field. These microplasmas rapidly expand, thus scattering the incident light and limiting the transmittance. This model is consistent with our observations that nonlinear scattering dominates transmission losses. We find that limiting depends on the input fluence (J/cm2) rather than irradiance (W/cm2). Therefore, limiting works well (i.e., low limiting energy) for long pulses (≥ 10 nsec) but is less effective for short pulses (≈ psec). In addition, the CBS rapidly degrades with repetitive laser firings, thus, flowing or moving the liquid between firings is necessary.

Citation Download Citation

Kamjou Mansour, E. W. Van Stryland, and M. J. Soileau "Optical Limiting In Media With Absorbing Microparticles", Proc. SPIE 1105, Materials for Optical Switches, Isolators, and Limiters, (30 August 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960615

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available