| Publication No: 168P | Search all ORC publications |
Nonlinear properties of silica and air for picosecond ultraviolet pulses
I.N.Ross, W.T.Toner, C.J.Hooker, J.R.M.Barr* and I.Coffey
Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 OQX, England
* Department of Physics, University of Southampton, UK
Abstract
The nonlinear power limiting processes in silica and air are investigated for picosecond pulses at the KrF wavelength. The two-photon absorption coefficient and the nonlinear refractive index in silica are measured to be 0.06cm GW−1 and 1.7 x 10−13 e.s.u. respectively. A mechanism for the rapid spectral broadening in air based on Raman-enhanced four-wave mixing is proposed. Experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis is presented.
Journal of Modern Optics (1990) Vol.37(4) pp.555-573
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Copyright University of Southampton 2006