Enhanced nonlinear optical response of linear carbon chain colloid mixed with silver nanoparticles

Nanostructured silver and linear carbon chain (LCC) particle water colloids were prepared by a pulsed laser ablation procedure. Sample's optical transmission response was investigated in the 190-900 nm range, the third-order nonlinear optical properties were studied using the z-scan method and a nanosecond laser. The silver nanoparticles induce a structural change in the LCC colloids: the mixed Ag and LCC optical absorption looses the signature of the short carbon chain maintaining the features attributable to the longer ones. The stability of LCC colloids and their nonlinear response are remarkably improved by the Ag nanoparticles addition to the carbon water colloids. The Ag nanoparticles induce a limiting threshold reduction, an increased nonlinear absorption coefficient beta and a marked asymmetrical peak/valley profile of the (Ag:LCC)(mix) when compared to the LCC. All these nonlinear contributions determine the increase of the third order susceptibility, while maintaining a significantly high linear transmission value (75%) at 532 nm and high photostability. The magnitude of the nonlinear optical response of these nanohybrids makes them promising candidates for potential optoelectronic applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.