We have investigated the ultrafast third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a novel chalcone derivative, 3-(4- methoxyphenyl)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (abbreviated as MNC) by Z-scan and degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) techniques using femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser system (~70fs, 1 kHz, 800 nm). The molecular structure of the synthesized chalcone by Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction was confirmed by FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric/ differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) technique and melting point was found to be 177 °C. The linear absorption spectra suggest that the MNC chalcone is optically transparent in the Vis-NIR region. The open aperture Z-scan demonstrated two-photon absorption, evident from the reverse saturable absorption type mechanism, while the closed aperture Z-scan demonstrated a positive nonlinear refraction due to self-focusing effect. Further, the chalcone exhibited optical limiting (OL) and optical switching properties. The onset optical limiting threshold fluence was measured at 9.15 mJ/cm2 and the figures of merit for all-optical-switching were satisfied. From DFWM data we measured the magnitude of NLO coefficients, nonlinear response time and dephasing time. The third-order NLO susceptibility and molecular hyperpolarizability were calculated to be 1.39×10-14 esu and 6.89×10-34 esu, respectively, using Z-scan and 6.53×10-14 esu and 32.7×10-34 esu, respectively, using DFWM techniques. From both these techniques the magnitude of NLO coefficients were found to be in good agreement. The time-resolved DFWM studies revealed that the nonlinear response time of MNC was very short (~112 fs). These results indicate that the MNC chalcone is a potential material for optical limiting and all-optical-switching applications.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.