Optical limiting phenomena of carbon nanoparticles prepared by laser ablation in liquids

Abstract

We report optical limiting properties of carbon nanoparticles, which were made in liquids by laser ablation of a bulk carbon target. The carbon nanoparticles were analyzed with micro-Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and Electron microscopy. Optical limiting responses towards 532-nm wavelength were measured with a 7-ns Nd:YAG laser. Nanoparticle size and laser pulse repetition rate effects on optical limiting behaviour were studied. A model was proposed to explain the physical origin of this nonlinear optical process. This work can provide useful information for designing carbon nanoparticle based optical limiters. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.