A comprehensive study of the nonlinear optical response exhibited by ion-implanted silica plates with Au and Pt nanostructures

Abstract

Third-order nonlinear optical properties exhibited by Platinum nanoclusters and Gold nanoparticles integrated in a two-stage configuration are reported. Comparative nanostructures were nucleated in a monolithic complex platform form based on a single matrix by a dual ion-implantation process and a reduction in the ablation threshold from 2.2 J/cm2 to 1.2 J/cm2 was obtained. This modification in the photothermal response exhibited by the nanoparticles seems to derive from a fractional transfer of energy. Femtosecond z-scan measurements at 800 nm revealed a strong two-photon absorption in the dual-implanted sample together to an ultrafast electronic nonlinearity responsible for a self-defocusing effect. These findings highlight the potential for tailoring quantum systems by integration of hybrid photonic circuits using multi-implantation processes.

Keywords

• Nonlinear optics
• Optical Kerr effect
• Metallic clusters
• Ion-implantation
• Quantum dots