V. P. N. Nampoori

Size-dependent enhancement of nonlinear optical properties in nanocolloids of ZnO

We have investigated the third-order nonlinearity in ZnO nanocolloids with particle sizes in the range 6–18 nm by the z-scan technique. The third-order optical susceptibility χ(3) increases with increasing particle size (R) within the range of our investigations. In the weak confinement regime, an R2 dependence of χ(3) is obtained for ZnO nanocolloids. The optical limiting response is also studied against particle size.

Raman spectra of polymethyl methacrylate optical fibres excited by a 532 nm diode pumped solid state laser

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) optical fibres are fabricated by a preform drawing process. The Raman spectra of PMMA fibres are recorded using a diode pumped solid state laser emitting at 532 nm and a CCD-spectrograph in the 400‐3800 cm −1 range. The variation of the Raman intensity with the length of the optical fibre is studied. Investigations are carried out on the variation of FWHM of the Raman peak at 2957 cm −1 with the length of the optical fibre and pump power. The differential scattering cross section and gain coefficient of the Raman peak at 2957 cm −1 in PMMA are calculated in relation to that of toluene.

Optical emission studies of species in laser-produced plasma from carbon

Optical emission studies of molecules in plasma obtained by Nd:YAG laser ablation of graphite in a helium atmosphere are reported for irradiances in the range (1 - . The characteristics of the spectral emission intensity from the (Swan band) species have been investigated as functions of the distance from the target, ambient pressure and laser irradiance. Estimates of vibrational temperatures of species under various irradiance conditions are made. Results of measurements performed under different ambient helium gas pressures are also discussed.

Studies on Fluorescence Efficiency and Photodegradation of Rhodamine 6G Doped PMMA Using a Dual Beam Thermal Lens Technique

In this paper we report the use of the dual beam thermal lens technique as a quantitative method to determine absolute fluorescence quantum efficiency and concentration quenching of fluorescence emission from rhodamine 6G doped Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), prepared with different concentrations of the dye. A comparison of the present data with that reported in the literature indicates that the observed variation of fluorescence quantum yield with respect to the dye concentration follows a similar profile as in the earlier reported observations on rhodamine 6G in solution. The photodegradation of the dye molecules under cw laser excitation is also studied using the present method.

Luminescence tuning and enhanced nonlinear optical properties of nanocomposites of ZnO–TiO2

In this article we present the spectral and nonlinear optical properties of ZnO-TiO(2) nanocomposites prepared by colloidal chemical synthesis. Emission peaks of ZnO-TiO(2) nanocomposites change from 340 nm to 385 nm almost in proportion to changes in E(g). The nanocomposites show self-defocusing nonlinearity and good nonlinear absorption behaviour. The nonlinear refractive index and the nonlinear absorption increase with increasing TiO(2) volume fraction at 532 nm and can be attributed to the enhancement of exciton oscillator strength. ZnO-TiO(2) is a potential nanocomposite material for the tunable light emission and for the development of nonlinear optical devices with a relatively small limiting threshold.

Nonlinear optical absorption in silver nanosol

Nonlinear optical absorption in silver nanosol was investigated at selected wavelengths (456 nm, 477 nm and 532 nm) using open aperture Z-scan technique. It was observed that nature of nonlinear absorption is sensitively dependent on input fluence as well as on excitation wavelength. Besides, the present sample was found to exhibit reverse saturable absorption (RSA) and saturable absorption (SA) at these wavelengths depending on excitation fluence. RSA is attributed to enhanced absorption resulting from photochemical changes. SA observed for fluence values lower and higher than those corresponding to RSA are, respectively, attributed to plasmon bleach and saturation of RSA.

Long period gratings in multimode optical fibers: application in chemical sensing

We propose and demonstrate a new technique for evanescent wave chemical sensing by writing long period gratings in a bare multimode plastic clad silica fiber. The sensing length of the present sensor is only 10 mm, but is as sensitive as a conventional unclad evanescent wave sensor having about 100 mm sensing length. The minimum measurable concentration of the sensor reported here is 10 nmol/l and the operating range is more than 4 orders of magnitude. Moreover, the detection is carried out in two independent detection configurations viz., bright field detection scheme that detects the core-mode power and dark field detection scheme that detects the cladding mode power. The use of such a double detection scheme definitely enhances the reliability and accuracy of the results. Furthermore, the cladding of the present fiber need not be removed as done in conventional evanescent wave fiber sensors.

Effect of deoxyribonucleic acid on nonlinear optical properties of Rhodamine 6G-polyvinyl alcohol solution

We have investigated the effect of DNA on nonlinear optical properties of Rhodmine6G-PVA solution through open aperture Z-scan. We observed saturable absorption (SA) at 532 nm for dye solution without DNA. A strong influence on SA behavior of dye solution was observed by adding DNA. As the concentration of DNA (2 wt %) increased, we observed RSA within SA. The sample shows SA behavior away from focus and RSA behavior near the focus. Theoretical analysis has been performed using a model based on nonlinear absorption coefficient and saturation intensity. The result of present study gives an additional mechanism for the gain enhancement in dye doped DNA matrix.

Loss characterization in rhodamine 6G doped polymer film waveguide by side illumination fluorescence

We report the position dependent tuning of fluorescence emission from rhodamine 6G doped polymethylmethacrylate film waveguide using a side illumination technique. The transmitted fluorescence as a function of the distance from the point of illumination is measured by translating the waveguide horizontally across a monochromatic light source. This technique has been utilized to characterize the optical loss in dye doped waveguides. We observe that the optical loss coefficients for shorter and longer distances of propagation through the dye doped waveguide are different. At longer distance of propagation a decrease in optical loss coefficient is observed.

Fibre optic sensor for the detection of adulterant traces in coconut oil

The design and development of a fibre optic evanescent wave refractometer for the detection of trace amounts of paraffin oil and palm oil in coconut oil is presented. This sensor is based on a side-polished plastic optical fibre. At the sensing region, the cladding and a small portion of the core are removed and the fibre nicely polished. The sensing region is fabricated in such a manner that it sits perfectly within a bent mould. This bending of the sensing region enhances its sensitivity. The oil mixture of different mix ratios is introduced into the sensing region and we observed a sharp decrease in the output intensity. The observed variation in the intensity is found to be linear and the detection limit is 2% (by volume) paraffin oil/palm oil in coconut oil. The resolution of this refractometric sensor is of the order of 10 −3 . Since coconut oil is consumed in large volumes as edible oil in south India, this fibre optic sensor finds great relevance for the detection of adulterants such as paraffin oil or palm oil which are readily miscible in coconut oil. The advantage of this type of sensor is that it is inexpensive and easy to set up. Another attraction of the side-polished fibre is that only a very small amount of analyte is needed and its response time is only 7 s.