Nonlinear reflection characteristics at a dielectric-carbon suspension interface

Christopher M. Lawson; Robert R. Michael Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.179577

6 July 1994 Nonlinear reflection characteristics at a dielectric-carbon suspension interface

Christopher M. Lawson, Robert R. Michael Jr.

Proceedings Volume 2229, Nonlinear Optical Materials for Switching and Limiting; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.179577
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

We have investigated nonlinear reflection and transmission processes in carbon particle suspension interfaces. Laser pulses incident on these interfaces cause plasma formation, laser induced cavitation, and the formation of a vapor layer at the dielectric interface. This vapor layer leads to optical self- switching via total internal reflection, which, in combination with other nonlinear processes such as plasma scattering, leads to optical power limiting. We will present experimental power limiting results for device prototypes based on this concept in the context of realistic optical system configurations. In addition, we have developed a theoretical model of the nonlinear reflection processes and fit this model to experimental nonlinear reflection data to determine the plasma formation threshold. The vapor interface formation time, which limits the maximum single- pulse nonlinear reflectivity, is also shown to vary as the inverse of the cube root of the carbon particle concentration. This implies that this formation time is determined primarily by the time it takes the expanding microbubbles to intersect each other and the substrate.

Citation Download Citation

Christopher M. Lawson and Robert R. Michael Jr. "Nonlinear reflection characteristics at a dielectric-carbon suspension interface", Proc. SPIE 2229, Nonlinear Optical Materials for Switching and Limiting, (6 July 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.179577

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