Improved near-infrared nonlinear optical properties of Sm3+ containing borate glasses: Effect of silver nanoparticles concentration

Efficacy of silver nanoparticles on tuning the optical nonlinear characteristics of Sm3+ doped borate-based glasses has been investigated comprehensively and the outcomes are provided. The nonlinear optical (NLO) attributes were retrieved using the Z-scan technique under an ultrafast pulse excitation with the wavelength ranging from 700 nm to 1000 nm. Reverse saturable absorption (RSA), ascribed to two-photon absorption, was realized in open aperture Z-scan profiles whereas refraction nonlinearity of positive type due to the self focusing was observed in closed aperture Z-scan data. Based on the Z-scan results along with the figure of merit condition (higher than unity), it was identified that the silver nanoparticles embedded Sm3+ containing glass hosts are competing materials for NLO device applications to function in near-infrared region.

Automated summary

The study comprehensively investigated the effect of silver nanoparticles on tuning the optical nonlinear characteristics of Sm3+ doped borate-based glasses using the Z-scan technique. The outcomes showed reverse saturable absorption and positive refraction nonlinearity, indicating the potential of these materials for NLO device applications in the near-infrared region.