Nonlinear characterization of orcein solution and dye doped polymer film for application in optical limiting

Abstract

The single beam Z-scan technique was used to determine the nonlinear optical properties of the orcein dye in the solvent chloroform and a dye doped polymer film. The experiments were performed using cw SDL laser with a wavelength of 532 nm. This material exhibits negative optical nonlinearity. The dye exhibited a nonlinear refractive index (n2 = 0.22 x 10-7and 2.32 x 10-7 cm2/W in dye solution and polymer film, respectively) and nonlinear absorption coefficient ( β = 1.44 x 10-3 and 18.61 x 10-3 cm/W in dye solution and polymer film, respectively). Optical limiting characteristics of the dye solution and polymer film were studied. The result reveals that orcein dye can be a promising material for optical limiting applications.