Non-linear optical properties of metal nanoparticles implanted in silicate glass

Copper nanoparticles have been synthesized in silica and soda-lime glasses by 50 keV Cu+ ion implantation with doses of 8.0 x 10(16) ion/cm(2). Nanoparticles were characterised by well developed absorption band of surface plasmon resonance in visible range. Metal nanoparticle composite glasses were analyzed by the Z-scan method at the IR wavelength of Nd:YAG laser radiation 1064 nm. The Z-scan scheme with an open and closed aperture allowed to determined non-linear refractive indices, third order non-linear susceptibilities and non-linear absorption coefficients of the synthesized materials. The third order non-linear susceptibility in the analyzed medium with simultaneous non-linear refraction and absorption were considered as a complex values. It is suggested that the samples with non-linear absorption is perspective ones for optical limiting application. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.