Optical limiting properties of metallodielectric photonic bandgap structures

Abstract

In this work we investigated the nonlinear optical properits of a one-dimensional, tranparent metallo-dielectric photonic band gap structure. Specifically, we consider multilayer samples having a nonlinear material as a component. We chose ZnO due to its transparency in the visible region and to its well known optical nonlinearity. By means of dual ion beam sputtering technique we realized a four period sample where the single period consists of ZnO and Ag layers. Sample structure was opportunely designed in order to achieve high nonlinear optical response. A Q-switched frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser has been used in order to investigate the transmissive properties of the sample under high light intensities. A transmission decrease of approximately 50% was found for a maximum incident light intensity of 2 GW/cm2.