Photothermal mirror Z-scan spectrometry of opaque samples

Are Mirror Worlds Opaque?

Over the last few years, many close orbiting (∼ 0.05 A.U.) large mass planets (∼ M J) of nearby stars have been discovered. Their existence has been inferred from tiny Doppler shifts in the light from the star and in one case a transit has been observed. Because ordinary planets are not expected to be able to form this close to ordinary stars due to the high temperatures, it has been speculated...

Pulse-Laser Infrared Photothermal Spectrometry of Condensed-Phase Aerosols Based on Photothermal Deflection Spectroscopy

In this chapter, a prototype small photothermal deflection apparatus was constructed on a laboratory bench. Not including excitation laser, data collection computer, and gas pumps, the apparatus fits on a bench space with a footprint of about 10 cm x 10 cm. This is a prototype apparatus that will be miniaturized in future assemblies. The apparatus was tested relative to the conventional laborat...

Z-Scan Measurements of Optical Nonlinearities

Z-scan Measurement of Upconversion in Er:YAG

Cooperative, or energy-transfer, upconversion reduces the population of the I13/2 manifold in Er:YAG, increasing the laser threshold, but not, in theory, the slope efficiency [1]. We have measured the cooperative upconversion parameter in Er:YAG using the z-scan technique as a function of Er concentration (0.5% to 5%) with the sample at room temperature (298 K) and 80 K. The value we obtain at ...

Single-beam differential z-scan technique.

We report a single-beam, differential z-scan technique with improved sensitivity for the determination of nonlinear absorption and refraction of materials. A sample is scanned in the direction of beam propagation as usual, but, in addition, its longitudinal position is dithered, producing a detector signal proportional to the spatial derivative of only the nonlinear transmission and therefore g...