Abstract
A complete quantitative description of a nonlinear fiber array for optical limiting application against laser pulses in the picosecond-nanosecond regime is presented. We discuss the dynamics of the molecular photonic processes accompanying the propagation of a laser pulse through the fiber core made of materials that possess reverse saturable absorption, two-photon absorption (TPA), and excited-state absorption (ESA), and we detail the optical limiting effectiveness and limitations of these nonlinear absorption processes individually and in concert. In particular, we demonstrate the importance of excited-state population recycling in extending the dynamic range of the limiting action. Experimental results obtained from a particular fiber core material that possesses TPA and ESA show good agreement with theoretical expectations and demonstrate the optical limiting capability of such a nonlinear fiber array.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1234-1240 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2004 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics