Optical limiting in nanodiamond suspension: Shortening of the laser pulses

Abstract

Optical limiting (OL) in an aqueous suspension of nanodiamonds (NDs) with an average nanoparticle size of 20 nm is studied and the results are presented. NDs are obtained by grinding the micron-sized diamond powders manufactured by static high-pressure, hightemperature (HPHT) synthesis. The experiments are performed by the z-scanning technique with a closed aperture. The temporal parameters of nanosecond laser pulses at 1064 nm passing through the suspension in the OL mode are measured. It is found that the closer the cuvette with suspension to the laser beam waist, the shorter both the trailing edge of the laser pulses passing through the suspension and the laser pulse duration. The smooth control capability of the pulse duration in the range from 22 to 15 ns is demonstrated.