Nonlinear optical properties of a porphyrin derivative incorporated in Nafion polymer

A solid state nonlinear optical medium is obtained by the incorporation of the metalloporphyrin, Zinc Tetra Phenyl Porphyrin (ZnTPP) in Nafion polymer membrane. The nonlinear refractive index of this membrane is measured at 632.8 nm by the z-scan technique and found to be on par with that exhibited by ZnTPP in the solution form. Photodegradation effects seen in the porphyrin solution appear to be inhibited due to its incorporation in the membrane. The material is found to exhibit optical limiting effects based on nonlinear refraction and its behaviour is investigated in comparison with that of ZnTPP in solution form. The nonlinearity appears to be of thermal origin.