Abstract

In this paper we report measurements of nonlinear absorption and optical self-action (self-focusing) in 4-methyl benzylidene 4'-n-butylaniline (MEBBA) with picosecond pulses at 0.53 μm and 1.06 μm. P₂, the second critical power for self-focusing [1], was measured as a function of pulsewidth (25 to 200 psec) and polarization state at 0.53 and 1.06 μm. This material, a new liquid crystal, was found to have a critical power a factor of three lower than CS₂ for 125 psec pulses at 0.53 μm (indicating that n₂ is a factor of three larger than that of CS₂).

© 1984 Optical Society of America