The linear and nonlinear optical properties of a spin-coated polydiacetylene, [5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol-bis(n-butoxy-carbonyl-methyl-urethane)], or poly(4BCMU), were measured to predict its performance in all-optical devices at 1.319 μm. Material requirements for all-optical devices were identified and figures-of-merit noted. A two-photon absorption figure of merit was verified by numerical simulation of a waveguide device. The refractive index and waveguide loss in spin-coated poly(4BCMU) films were measured. A photo-induced bleaching was observed, and its effect on linear and nonlinear optical properties was quantified. Fabrication of integrated-optical structures using this photobleaching process was demonstrated. The nonlinear refractive index and absorption were measured at 1.319 μm with 60 picosecond laser pulses, using poly(4BCMU) strip-loaded channel waveguides. A novel pulse-modulated interferometer was developed for measuring the intensity-dependent refractive index. The fast electronic contribution was found to be n₂ = (4.8 ± 2.7) x 10⁻⁸ cm²/MW, an a slower thermal contribution of n₂(T) = -(7.9 ± 4.5) x 10⁻¹¹ cm²/MW was measured. The thermal index change was shown to limit the duty cycle of operation for a poly(4BCMU) device. The two-photon absorption coefficient was also measured, yielding γ < 0.25 cm/GW. These values were used to estimate performance of a poly(4BCMU) all-optical device using standard figures-of-merit. For this specific waveguide, the figures-of-merit indicated poor performance. If waveguide losses were neglected, (by assuming improved fabrication for example), and assuming the nonlinearity does not saturate at intensities below the damage threshold, the figures-of-merit improve to useful levels. The limit on duty cycle imposed by thermal effects appears to restrict operation to GHz frequencies of slower.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/185340 |
| Date | January 1990 |
| Creators | Rochford, Kent Blair. |
| Contributors | Stegeman, George, Burke, James J., Wright, E.M. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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