Reliable methods for determining the nonlinear optical properties of materials (i.e. nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction) have been developed for wide ranging applications such as optical limiting1, multi-photon polymerization as well as optical switching. Of these methods, the “z-scan”, introduced in 1985 and later developed by Eric Van Stryland remains the standard technique.
The z-scan technique is performed by translating a sample through the beam waist of a focused beam and then measuring the power transmitted through the sample. Z-scan has many possible configurations (e.g. “EZ-Scan”, “White Light z-scan”, “Excite-Probe z-scan”). In this note, only the standard “open aperture” and “closed aperture” z-scan will be discussed. The two measurable quantities connected with the z-scan are nonlinear absorption (NLA) and nonlinear refraction (NLR). These parameters are associated with the imaginary and real part of the third order nonlinear susceptibility, and provide important information about the properties of the material.
The purpose of this kit is to describe a simple implementation of the z-scan technique that can be used to characterize relatively thin (< 5mm) optical materials.
All of the optics and mounts in this kit have been certified by our Ph.D. scientists in the Newport Technology and Applications Center to work together and be compatible with the Spitfire XP Pro.
A much more detailed explanation of this kit, alignment procedures, recommended operating parameters found in Newport Application Note 34, Z-Scan for the Characterization of Transparent Optical Material.
* The software included with this product is for reference only. It has been tested in the experimental setup described in the application note. The software will need to be customized by the user for additional experimental requirements. At the present time, Newport provides limited support for this software and any concern should be discussed with Newport before purchasing the product. Please contact our sales representative at toll free number 1-800-222-6440 or email at tech@newport.com to know more about this product.
