THIRD-ORDER NONLINEAR OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF [(C2H5)4N][Co(dmit)2] USING Z-SCAN TECHNIQUE.

A novel dmit^2- complex: [(C₂H₅)₄N][Co(dmit)²], abbreviated as EtCo, was synthesized and its third-order optical nonlinearities were characterized by Z-scan technique at the wavelength of 1064 nm with laser duration of 40 ps. Z-scan curves revealed a negative nonlinear refraction at 1064 nm and a positive absorption was observed. The nonlinear refraction coefficient n₂, the nonlinear absorption coefficient β and the molecular second hyperpolarizability γ have been determined to be as large as 9.51×10^-19m²/W, 2.19×10^-12 m/W and 5.41×10^-31 esu respectively, suggesting that this material has potential applications in optical limiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]