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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 18, Iss. 25 — Dec. 6, 2010
  • pp: 25847–25854

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 18 > Issue 25 > Page 25847

Measurement of pressure dependent nonlinear refractive index of inert gases

Á. Börzsönyi, Z. Heiner, A.P. Kovács, M. P. Kalashnikov, and K. Osvay  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 18, Issue 25, pp. 25847-25854 (2010)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.18.025847


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Abstract

The propagation of high intensity laser beams is excessively affected by optical nonlinear effects, thereby the knowledge of the nonlinear refractive indices of the beam guiding media is indispensable in the design of laser systems and experiments. Apart from undesired self-focusing, several areas of modern laser spectroscopy can utilize optical nonlinearity, from LiDAR measurements to filamentation. In this paper we report on a direct measurement of pressure dependent nonlinear refractive index of Ar, N2, Ne, Xe, and air between 0.05 mbar and 1 bar, based on the powerful technique called spectrally and spatially resolved interferometry. In this way the total value of nonlinear refractive index is measured, that is the sum of all elementary phenomena contributing to the intensity dependent refractivity of the gases.

© 2010 OSA

OCIS Codes
(070.4340) Fourier optics and signal processing : Nonlinear optical signal processing
(120.5050) Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology : Phase measurement
(190.3270) Nonlinear optics : Kerr effect
(190.4400) Nonlinear optics : Nonlinear optics, materials
(320.7110) Ultrafast optics : Ultrafast nonlinear optics

ToC Category:
Instrumentation, Measurement, and Metrology

History
Original Manuscript: October 6, 2010
Revised Manuscript: November 6, 2010
Manuscript Accepted: November 6, 2010
Published: November 24, 2010

Citation
Á. Börzsönyi, Z. Heiner, A.P. Kovács, M. P. Kalashnikov, and K. Osvay, "Measurement of pressure dependent nonlinear refractive index of inert gases," Opt. Express 18, 25847-25854 (2010)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-18-25-25847


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