We demonstrate a use case for the ENZ region of transparent conducting oxides as a means for compact and phase-matching free pulse characterization for near-infrared beams. We leverage a ‘temporal knife edge’, generated by an off-axis pump to extract the spatial shape and pulse width information of a Gaussian beam using a quadrant cell detector. Operating within the ENZ region enables the use of sub-micron thick films and moderate optical fluences (1-10 GW/cm2) compared to conventional bulk dielectrics or crystals, for compact pulse characterization systems.
The field of nonlinear optics (NLO) has been continuously growing over the past decades, and several NLO data tables were published before the turn of the century. After the year 2000, there have been major advances in materials science and technology beneficial for NLO research, but a data table providing an overview of the post-2000 developments in NLO has so far been lacking. Here, we introduce a new set of NLO data tables listing a representative collection of experimental works published since 2000 for bulk materials, solvents, 0D-1D-2D materials, metamaterials, fiber waveguiding materials, on-chip waveguiding materials, hybrid waveguiding systems, and THz NLO materials. In addition, we provide a list of best practices for characterizing NLO materials. The presented data tables and best practices form the foundation for a more adequate comparison, interpretation, and practical use of already published NLO parameters and those that will be published in the future.
The field of Nonlinear Optics (NLO), launched about 60 years ago, has gained considerable momentum over the past two decades, resulting in an enormous growth in NLO publications for a wide range of material categories, including bulk materials, 0D-1D-2D materials, metamaterials, fiber waveguiding materials, on-chip waveguiding materials, and hybrid waveguiding systems. However, a convenient summary of NLO data collected since 2000 for these different material types has been lacking and would be a valuable resource for researchers in the field. Here, we present a new set of data tables showcasing a representative list of NLO properties taken from the literature since 2000 on the above-mentioned material categories. Furthermore, we provide best practices for performing and reporting NLO experiments. These best practices underpin the selection process that we used for including papers in the tables, and also form the foundation for a more adequate comparison, interpretation, and use of the NLO parameters published today and those that will be published in the future.
Nonlinear optical effects in epsilon-near-zero materials have become an area of significant interest to the community within the last 10 years. From demonstrations of refractive index tuning, enhanced harmonic generation, and time varying interactions, a wide range of effects and nonlinear properties have been shown to be influenced by the epsilon-near-zero condition. In this talk, we will a higher level look at refractive index tuning in epsilon-near-zero materials (predominately free-carrier-based materials), highlighting why the epsilon-near-zero conditions provides increased index tuning as well as what features are intrinsic to the epsilon-near-zero condition and what features are dictated by external effects. Breaking down the interaction is intended to highlight what properties are difficult to control and what properties can be readily tuned to maximize effects. This is intended to highlight trade-offs in performance and implementation and facilitate discussion related to selecting the best materials, excitation conditions, and designs as epsilon-near-zero materials attempt to transition from laboratory curiosities to potential applications.
Epsilon-near-zero materials are a rapidly expanding field due to their enhanced light matter interaction. These materials have shown large changes in refractive index on the order of the linear index; however, this is associated with large absorption changes. Here we experimentally and theoretically show a method to mitigate the absorption changes in the film while doubling the refractive index modulation. Using beam deflection, a nonlinear technique to measure χ^((3)), individual excitation processes can be controlled in time and space on a film so the nonlinear refractive index change can double on a sample, while the absorption change can be nullified.
Metasurfaces are extremely versatile devices that offer wide control over the phase and amplitude of electromagnetic energy. However, their properties are often fixed at the time of fabrication. A critical challenge is to realize dynamically tunable metasurfaces, that are both fast and efficient. Applications such as telecommunications especially stand to benefit from metasurfaces with THz bandwidth. However, the large size of metasurfaces often limits their speeds to a few GHz. In this report, we demonstrate all optical tuning of a surface lattice resonance based plasmonic metasurface, that exhibits large Q-factors (>500), while providing 30x enhancement of pump beam absorption. This leads to over 150% modulation of the probe within the technologically relevant NIR window.
Recently, transparent conducting oxides such as indium tin oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide have been characterized in their epsilon-near-zero crossover regions due to their strong enhancement of light-matter interaction. A newer technique, known as beam deflection, can be used to enable single-detector measurements that characterizes the complex nonlinear refractive index by detecting the angular deflection and transmission of a probe beam. Here we describe two key nonidealities in beam deflection measurements, 1) the spatio-temporal interaction of the beams with a finite relative angular separation, 2) the apparent angular deviation occurring due to strong spatially non-uniform absorption.
Epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials have been key players in recent photonic applications due to their versatility in growth, excellent compatibility, and ability to be dynamically modulated. From a foundation in the recently developed carrier kinetic models of nonlinearities in ENZ materials, we discuss our efforts to realize scalable and high-quality Al:ZnO (AZO) films via a unique atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, and the use of AZO in both switching and frequency shifting applications. Throughout, we highlight the advantages and challenges that exist and conclude with an outlook for ENZ materials in the area of nonlinear optics.
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