https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2009-00225-3
Strong Kerr-signals from optically isotropic ZnSe nanocrystals: a study using Mach-Zehnder principles
Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Physics, Tezpur University, PO. Napaam, Dist. Sonitpur, Assam, 784 028, India
Corresponding author: a best@tezu.ernet.in
Received:
10
March
2009
Revised:
20
June
2009
Published online:
7
August
2009
In the present work, we show that Mach-Zehnder interferometry (MZI) can be an asset to explore the birefringence properties of semiconductor nanocrystallites (NCs). A 0.352 μm thick polymer containing ZnSe–NCs (size dispersion: 2.5×1010/cm2) was kept on either of the arms of the MZI (λ=632.8 nm) and the phase angles were measured at the output, corresponding to three selected spots of the specimen. Owing to the non-resonant excitation led transient polarization in the NCs, strong optical Kerr-signals were detected with Kerr coefficient values ~1.87 × 10-9 m/V2. The approach may be extended to other optically isotropic nanoscaled materials having a center of inversion including liquid crystals.
PACS: 42.70.Nq – Other nonlinear optical materials; photorefractive and semiconductor materials / 78.20.Ls – Magnetooptical effects / 78.67.Bf – Nanocrystals and nanoparticles / 85.70.Sq – Magnetooptical devices
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2009
