Abstract

Transient differential absorption spectra of solgel glasses that contain copper selenide nanoparticles (NP’s) have been studied with a picosecond pump–probe technique. Oxidation of copper selenide NP’s results in the appearance of an additional absorption band peaked at ∼1 µm, which can be transiently bleached under laser excitation. Excited-state absorption related to mid-gap surface trap states was observed. The absorption recovery time was found to be ∼300 ps. The intensity-dependent transmission of oxidized copper selenide NP’s in solgel glass at 1.08 µm has been measured. Permanent laser-induced absorption changes in the glasses were studied with nanosecond pulses as a function of laser exposure. Passive Q switching of 1.06-µm ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}:{\mathrm{Y}}_3{\mathrm{Al}}_5{\mathrm{O}}_{12},$ 1.34-µm ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}:{\mathrm{YAlO}}_3,$ and 1.54-µm ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}:$ glass lasers has been realized with the glasses containing copper selenide NP’s used as saturable absorbers. Q-switched pulses with 100-ns (1.06 µm), 90-ns (1.34 µm), and 60-ns (1.54 µm) pulse widths were obtained.

© 2000 Optical Society of America

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