Single-wall carbon nanotubes for optical limiting

• Published in: Chemical physics letters Vol. 307; no. 5; pp. 317 - 319
• Main Authors: Vivien, L., Anglaret, E., Riehl, D., Bacou, F., Journet, C., Goze, C., Andrieux, M., Brunet, M., Lafonta, F., Bernier, P., Hache, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-07-1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed Matter; Materials Science; Physics
• ISSN: 0009-2614; 1873-4448
• DOI: 10.1016/S0009-2614(99)00528-X

We report on the non-linear optical transmittance of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in a water/surfactant suspension. Optical limiting is observed at low-energy thresholds both in the visible and near-infrared. We find small non-linear thresholds and large optical densities that match or overpass the performances of other good optical limiters (C
60 and carbon black) both in the visible and in the near-infrared, which makes SWNT very promising systems for broadband optical limiting.