Junyi Yang

Dynamics of optical nonlinearities in GaN

The dynamics of optical nonlinearities in bulk GaN crystal are investigated by a modified time-resolved pump-probe system with phase object at 532 nm under picosecond pulse excitation. The samples optical nonlinearities can be determined by measuring the normalized transmittance with/without an aperture in the far field. The different nonlinear mechanisms in GaN are separated. Experimental results show that the nonlinear response of GaN is a combination of bound-electronic and free-carrier nonlinearities mechanisms. With the theory of two-photon-induced free-carrier nonlinearity, the related optical nonlinear parameters, including free-carrier nonlinearities and free-carrier life time which are difficult to be determined, are obtained.

Method with a phase object for measurement of optical nonlinearities

A new and simple technique is presented to investigate nonlinear optical properties. In this technique, a phase object is introduced into the measurement system. Both the nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear refraction index can be determined conveniently by measuring the transmittance of the sample. The optical nonlinearities of the ZnSe are investigated by using this technique with 19 ps pulses at 532 nm wavelength as a test.

Anisotropy of two-photon absorption and free-carrier effect in nonpolar GaN

We reported a systematic study about the anisotropic optical nonlinearities in bulk m-plane and a-plane GaN crystals by Z-scan and pump-probe with phase object methods under picosecond at 532 nm. The two-photon absorption coefficient, which was measured as a function of polarization angle, exhibited oscillation curves with a period of π/2, indicating a highly polarized optical third-order nonlinearity in both nonpolar GaN samples. Furthermore, free-carrier absorption revealed stronger hole-related absorption for E⊥c than for E//c probe polarization. In contrast, free-carrier refraction was found almost isotropic due to electron-related refraction in the isotropic conduction bands.

Optical nonlinearities and ultrafast all-optical switching of m-plane GaN in the near-infrared

We reported a systematic investigation on the three-photon absorption (3PA) spectra and wavelength dispersion of Kerr refraction of bulk m-plane GaN crystal with both polarization E⊥c and E//c by femtosecond Z-scan technique in the near-infrared region from 760 to 1030 nm. Both 3PA spectra and Kerr refraction dispersion were in good agreement with two-band models. The calculated nonlinear figure of merit and measured ultrafast nonlinear refraction dynamics via femtosecond pump-probe with phase object method revealed that m-plane GaN would be a promising candidate for ultrafast all-optical switching and autocorrelation applications at telecommunication wavelengths.

Ultrafast carrier dynamics in a p-type GaN wafer under different carrier distributions

The dependence of the carrier distribution on photoexcited carrier dynamics in a p-type Mg-doped GaN (GaN:Mg) wafer were systematically measured by femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. The homogeneity of the carrier distribution was modified by tuning the wavelength of the UV pulse excitation around the band gap of GaN:Mg. The TA kinetics appeared to be biexponential for all carrier distributions, and only the slower component decayed faster as the inhomogeneity of the carrier distribution increased. It was concluded that the faster component (50–70 ps) corresponded to the trap process of holes by the Mg acceptors, and the slower component (150–600 ps) corresponded to the combination of non-radiative surface recombination and intrinsic carrier recombination via dislocations. Moreover, the slower component increased gradually with the incident fluence due to the saturation of surface states.

Third-order nonlinear optical properties and photophysical mechanism of a novel In-porphyrin polymer

We use the time-resolved degenerated PO pump-probe technique to investigate the nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction dynamics of a novel porphyrin derivate, Indium-Porphyrin functionalized with polymethylmethacrylate (InPor-MMA26), dissolved in DMF at 532 nm in picosecond domain simultaneously. The results indicate that the nonlinear optical responses are induced by solution molecular excited state nonlinearity only, without the existence of two-photon absorption or Kerr refraction. Combined with five-energy-level model, all nonlinear optical parameters are determined by analyzing the experimental curves and confirmed by 4 ns Z-scan at 532 nm. The sample has a good reverse saturable absorption and reasonable positive refraction. With the proper lifetime and intersystem crossing time, this sample can be a candidate for optical limiting. The polymer attached to porphyrin directly by chemical bonds. This makes it have better homogeneity compared to physical mixing in the form of film.

Solvent effect induced solute damage in an organic inner salt

Nonlinear absorption of a newly synthesized organic inner salt Ge-150 dissolved in four different solvents (DMF, DMSO, acetonitrile and acetone) is investigated by the Z-scan technique with both nanosecond and picosecond pulses. When pulse energy surpasses a threshold and pulse-to-pulse separation is shorter than a characteristic time, all the four solutions show absorption weakening induced by cross-pulse effects in the picosecond regime. However, only two of them (Ge-150 dissolved in DMF and DMSO) show this weakening in the nanosecond regime. By conducting a simple verification experiment, we verify this absorption weakening is induced by solute damage related to solvent effect rather than solute migration. A simple theoretical model is proposed to interpret the experimental phenomenon.

The application of fractional Fourier transform in the nonlinear optical imaging measurement

The 4f coherent imaging system with phase object (PO) is a new method to measure the third-order nonlinearity. The essential of the measurement is using a diaphragm with phase object to modulate the nonlinear phase shift in the nonlinear sample, which is placed at the Fourier plane of the 4f system, to change of the amplitude of the electric field in the image plane. In this paper Fractional Fourier Transform (FRFT) is applied to the 4f coherent imaging system for the third-order nonlinear refraction measurements. With the help of Fresnel diffraction, we obtain FRFT using the single-lens system, Lohmann type system. The improved measurement system is obtained with FRFT in place of FT after the beam pass through the sample. We numerically analyze the effects of fractional order on the diffraction image of the improved nonlinear measurement system. Comparing with the original 4f system, when the fractional order a is 0.4 the sensitivity which is measured by ΔT (ΔT is proportional to the fluence inside and outside of PO on the image plane) is improved.

Investigation of surface plasmon resonance in composite nanostructure of silver film and nanowire array

We investigate the surface plasmon resonance in a new composite nanostructure (Nanowires array beneath metal film). Computational simulation results exhibit that, for both transverse electric(TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarization, the positions of resonance peaks is extremely sensitive to the change of center distance (Filling ratio of nanowires). When the diameter of Nanowires is 4nm and under TM polarization, the resonance angle increasing with the increase of center distance. In the case of TE polarization, the result is completely the opposite within limits. It is also shown that changes in thickness of Ag film(At the top of the Ag nanowire) has little direct effect on the resonance angle, But the characteritics of SPR intensity is influenced by the thickness of Ag film in the most degree. When the thickness of Ag film is 50 nm, In range of 10nm to 100nm, the minimum value of the reflectance is only 0.05, the result is consistent with the previous studies. Additionally, the nano composite structure material is very sensitive to the refractive index change of the lowest layer when under the TE- polarization. we have done mode analysis of the SPR structure for both simple and practical structures using comsol multiphysics, our approach is intend to show the feasibity and extend the applicability of the plasmonic nanowires, could lead to provide the basis for design the new structure of nanowires array.

Investigation on ultrafast third-order nonlinear optical properties of benzothiadiazole copolymer with triphenylamine derivative side chain

The third-order nonlinear optical properties of benzothiadiazole copolymer with triphenylamine derivative side chain (BCT) dissolved in chloroform are investigated by top-hat Z-scan and time-resolved pump-probe techniques with a picoseconds pulses laser at wavelength of 532nm. Organic polymers of triphenylamine have been widely applied to optoelectronic devices owing to its outstanding physics and chemistry characteristic. So its nonlinear optical characteristic is worth studying. The samples excited-state dynamics can be detected by the pump-probe with phase object device with/without an aperture in the far field. We can determine the samples nonlinear absorptive and refractive coefficient by the top-hot Z-scan device with/without an aperture in the far field. The experimental results show that the BCT has a good reverse saturation absorption and negative refraction. At the same time, the BCT showed up long excited-state lifetimes. By means of a five-level model and analyzing the experimental curves, all nonlinear optical parameters are obtained. With the proper lifetime and intersystem crossing time, this sample can be a candidate for optical limiting.