Enhanced Nonlinear-Optical Response of LiKB4O7 Glass Containing Ag Nanoparticles

We present the results on nonlinear-optical studies of LiKB
₄
O
₇
borate glass doped with Ag
₂
O and Gd
₂
O
₃
-Ag
₂
O. It was found that annealing of the glasses results in the formation of 3.8-7.6 nm in diameter Ag nanoparticles within thin sub-surface layer of glass matrix. The nanoparticles greatly enhance inherent nonlinear-optical response of borate glass due to the excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance in the nanoparticles. Nonlinear refraction n
₂
and nonlinear absorption β coefficients were determined using single-beam Z-scan technique. The results may find applications in photonic and optoelectronic devices.