Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate Research Areas

Nonlinear Optical Materials for Nonlinear Transmission

Advisor: Hoffman, Robert  (Robert.c.hoffman@us.army.mil  301-394-0815)
Keywords: Nonlinear materials; Nonlinear optics

We are interested in investigating and utilizing a variety of nonlinear optical behaviors for Army applications. Research focuses on self-induced nonlinear behavior in the visible and the near infrared, from CW to femtosecond and involves such phenomena as reverse saturation, self-focusing/de-focusing, two-photon absorption, and the Pockels effect. In the area of nonlinear materials, we are interested in developing and understanding materials that exhibit large nonlinear transmission. Promising material candidates are characterized and the nonlinear parameters are derived using Z-scan analysis and pump-probe measurements. By modeling the beam propagation along with the light-matter interaction, we can study the mechanism that gives rise to the nonlinearity. In some cases, this knowledge allows further refinement of the material to exploit the nonlinear process for applications involving nonlinear transmission. Various materials have been and are currently being investigated including dyes, highly conjugated organic molecules, metallorganic compounds, composites, carbon black suspension, C60/C70, easily damaged windows, polymers, glasses, and semiconductors.