Dynamically configurable nonlinear optical switching based on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The modification of the third order nonlinear optical response exhibited by vertically aligned carbon nanotubes in two-wave mixing interactions was analyzed. All-optical switching effects were explored by using a vectorial optical Kerr gate with nanosecond pulses at 532 nm wavelength of excitation. The samples were prepared by a spray pyrolysis method. Morphological and structural characterization of the samples was conducted by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy studies. Important structural changes dependent on the temperature employed for the preparation of the carbon nanotubes were observed. It was highlighted a remarkable influence of nonlinear energy transference in spatially-resolved optical processes for designing ultrafast lowdimensional devices.