Third order nonlinear investigations of CuLaSe2 and ZnCuLaSe2 quantum dots.

Environmentally friendly quantum dots (QDs) with high two-photon absorption coefficients in the near-infrared region are important for nonlinear optics (NLO) applications. In this work, CuLaSe 2 and ZnCuLaSe 2 QD are successfully synthesized and characterized using UV–Vis, Photoluminescence and HRTEM analysis. Next, the third-order NLO properties of these materials are studied using the femtosecond Z-scan method. The samples showed efficient nonlinear responses. The nonlinear absorption coefficient (β), the nonlinear refractive index (n 2) and the third-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ (3) ) values for all samples are deduced and discussed in detail. The results reported here pave the way towards building CuLaSe 2 and ZnCuLaSe 2 QDs-based nonlinear photoelectric devices operating in the near-infrared field. • CuLaSe 2 and ZnCuLaSe 2 QD are successfully synthesized and characterized. • Third-order NLO properties of CuLaSe 2 and ZnCuLaSe 2 QDs have been investigated using femtosecond Z-scan analysis for the first time. • The third-order optical properties of CuLaSe 2 QDs are far better than that of ZnCuLaSe 2 QDs. • The extrapolated values of β, n 2 and χ (3) are found to be on the order of 10−11 cm/W, 10−16 cm2/W and 10−14 esu, respectively. • The results suggest that ZnCuLaSe 2 and CuLaSe 2 QDs can be potential candidates for future applications in NLO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]