Open AccessFrequency conversion of subnanojoule femtosecond laser pulses in a microstructure fiber for photochromism initiation
Author(s) -
S. O. Konorov,
А. М. Желтиков
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.11.002440
Subject(s) - materials science , femtosecond , optics , spiropyran , laser , fiber laser , optoelectronics , photochromism , optical fiber , microstructure , wavelength , nanotechnology , composite material , physics
Microstructure fibers with multiple submicron cores are used to frequency-convert unamplified 0.3-nJ, 80-fs pulses of 800-nm Ti: sapphire laser radiation to the spectral range of 400 - 500 nm. This frequencyupconverted radiation is then employed to induce reversible changes in the absorption spectrum of spiropyran molecules through photochromic transformations in a solid-phase spiropyran/PMMA sample. Microstructure fibers are thus shown to enhance the capabilities of low-power femtosecond lasers, making unamplified ultrashort pulses suitable for photochemical and micromachining applications.