Nonlinear-optical refraction of silver nanoparticle composites

In this paper, the experimental data on nonlinear refraction of silver nanoparticle composites using a standard Z-scan technique are presented. It was found that the colloids of silver nanoparticles of various size possess a defocusing ability. Based on general considerations, one can conclude thermal lens nature of the nonlinear refraction of the colloids. Significantly different magnitudes of the nonlinear refractive index of silver nanoparticles suspended in water and in glycerol can be explained by differences in the specific heat capacity of mentioned fluids. The effective thickness for nonlinear-optical interaction of light with a two-dimensional silver nanoparticle array was estimated.