Applications of the Z-Scan and I-Scan Methods in Nonlinear Optics

Abstract

There is great interest in discovering materials with substantial yet quick nonlinearities. Therefore, there is a need to extend this database. This interest, which stems largely from the quest for materials for all-optical switching and sensor protection applications, includes both nonlinear absorption (NLA) and nonlinear refraction (NLR). The database for nonlinear optical characteristics of materials, particularly organics, is sometimes insufficient for identifying patterns to guide synthesis efforts. In this study, we warn that the Z-scan technique's results on the active nonlinear processes of a particular reference are frequently disputed. NLA and NLR in solids, liquids, and liquid solutions may be quickly measured using the Z-scan approach. The nonlinear optics community has quickly adopted the Z-scan approach as a standard method for identifying the nonlinear changes in absorption and index independently. It should always be noted, nevertheless, that this approach is susceptible to any nonlinear optical mechanism that results in a change in the refractive index and/or absorption coefficient, making it generally impossible to identify the underlying physical processes from a Z-scan. It is worth noting that nonlinear absorption, such as two-photon absorption, can have an effect on the measured signal. This, however, may be assessed separately by noting the total power of the transmitted beam. The nonlinearity measurement may be adjusted using this data.As a result, several variants of the z-scanning approach will be tested in this study.