Nonlinear optical properties of Cu nanoclusters by ion implantation in silicate glass

Metal nanocluster composite glass prepared by 180 keV Cu ions into silica with dose of 1 x 10(17) ioris/cm(2) has been studied. The microstructural properties of the nanoclusters were analysed by optical absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Third-order nonlinear optical properties of the nanoclusters were measured at 1064 nm and 532 nm excitations using Z-scan technique. The nonlinear refraction index, nonlinear absorption coefficient, and the real and imaginary parts of the third-order nonlinear susceptibility were deduced. The mechanisms responsible for the nonlinear response were discussed. Absolute third-order nonlinear susceptibility chi((3)) of this kind of sample was determined to be 2.1 x 10(-7) esu at 532 nm and 1.2 x 10(-7) esu at 1064 n m, respectively. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.