Linear and nonlinear optical properties of glasses doped with Bi nanoparticles

Transparent glass samples doped with bismuth nanoparticles are prepared by heat treatment of as-made glass samples. According to the results of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra, Bi nanoparticles are well distributed inside glasses after heat treatment. The average size of Bi nanoparticles increases with the increasing of heat treatment temperature. Because of the size effect and multiple scattering of nanoparticles, the fundamental absorption edge shows a red-shift behavior with the increasing of heat treatment temperature. Nonlinear optical properties of Bi nanoparticles doped glasses are investigated by using Z-scan technique. The maximum value of χ(3) of the glasses is estimated to be 2.49 × 10− 7 esu at 800 nm. These results indicate that Bi nanoparticles doped glasses may be promising as material for optical switching.

Research Highlights
► Transparent glass samples doped with bismuth nanoparticles are prepared by melt-quenching and subsequent annealing.
► X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra analyses confirmed the formation of Bi nanoparticles inside glass.
► Because of the size effect and multiple scatting of nanoparticles, the fundamental absorption edge shows a red-shift behavior with increasing heat treatment temperature.
► Nonlinear optical properties of Bi nanoparticles doped glasses are investigated by using Z-scan technique.