Nonlinear optical properties of chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) using the Z-scan technique

The linear and nonlinear optical behavior of novel sulfur based polymer materials are evaluated at the optical communication wavelength, 1550 nm. These polymers are attractive for near-IR (NIR) and mid-IR applications. The two photon absorption (TPA) coefficient (beta) and second order refractive index (n(2)) of chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) from poly(sulfur-random-(1,3-diisopropenylbenzen) (poly(S-r-DIB)) are measured via the Z-scan technique. In this study, we investigated the linear and nonlinear optical behavior of two types of CHIPs where the weight percentage of sulfur is varied (poly(S-50%-r-DIB50%) and poly(S-70%-r-DIB30%)). The TPA coefficients for poly(S-50%-r-DIB50%) and poly(S-70%-r-DIB30%) obtained were 0.11 cm/GW and 0.063 cm/GW, respectively. The n(2) for poly(S-50%-r-DIB50%) and poly(S-70%-r-DIB30%) was measured and determined to be 2.45 x 10(-15) cm(2)/W and 3.06 x 10(-15) cm(2)/W, respectively, and are in good agreement with Miller's rule prediction. These materials exhibit low cost, low temperature processing, high transparency in the near to mid-IR range (except a few interval ranges) and relatively high refractive index, providing a unique set of properties for optics and photonics device applications.