All optical nonlinear and switching characteristics of a novel ruthenium complex

Abstract

Third-order nonlinear optical properties of a novel ruthenium complex (2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato) triphenylarsenic Ru(III), have been investigated by employing Z-scan and DFWM techniques. The compound shows self-defocusing effect. Its nonlinear refractive index, third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility and the second-order hyperpolarizability are seen to be of the order of 10-9, 10-10 and 10-30 esu respectively. The nonlinear absorption coefficient is of the order of 10 -9 m/W. This material exhibits good optical power limiting capability which is seen to occur due to reverse saturable absorption. Experiments on all-optical switching action indicate that the sample can function as an optical inverter or a NOT gate. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.