Abstract

The function of an optical limiter is to limit the output energy, fluence, or intensity of an optical beam to some specified maximum value while maintaining a high transmission at low input intensities. Reverse saturable absorbers are materials in which the effective absorption coefficient increases with incident intensity. They are attractive materials for optical limiting devices. Metal substituted phthalocyanines (Pc) have been shown to have a large nonlinear absorption in the visible region of the spectrum¹ and, in particular, lead tetrakis (cumylphenoxy) phthalocyanine, PbPc(CP)₄, has been shown to be effective as a limiter at 532 nm.²

© 1995 Optical Society of America