Efficient optical Kerr shutter for femtosecond time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy

We have measured optical Kerr effect responses, transmission spectra, and emission properties due to two photon absorption for 17 kinds of optical glass materials and have evaluated their capabilities as an optical Kerr shutter (OKS) for time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. There is a tendency that the larger the refractive index and dispersion are, the higher the electronic response of optical Kerr effect becomes. Transmission efficiency as high as several percents with the time resolution of 350 fs is obtained using a highly Bi2O3-doped glass plate under 200 kHz repetitive pulse excitation. The time-resolved luminescence spectrum of Zn-tetraphenylporphyrin dye solution is demonstrated using the combination of the OKS and a monochromator equipped with a charge coupled device detector. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0034-6748(00)00409-3].