Abstract

Large optical nonlinearities in a Cd_0.23Hg_0.77Te étalon are reported using cw and pulsed CO₂ lasers at 10.6 μm under different experimental conditions. At 77 K, intensity-dependent Fabry-Perot features are observed at power levels of ~1 mW owing to band-gap resonant nonlinearities. Characteristics exhibiting differential optical gain can be demonstrated in reflection at ~30-40 mW. Thermal effects were studied in this unusual case in which electronic and thermal contributions to the intensity dependence of the nonlinear refraction are both negative.

© 1984 Optical Society of America