Photonic Crystals: Intensity-Dependent Transmission Protects Sensors

Abstract

Nonlinear absorption properties make photonic crystals useful optical limiters where protection is needed from sudden flashes of high-intensity light. Optical limiters are devices that exhibit high transmission at normal light intensities and a transmission that decreases as the light intensity rises. This intensity-dependent transmission can keep the transmitted light energy below some maximum value. The devices can perform several useful optical functions, the most obvious of which is protecting optical elements and sensors, including the eyes, from damage by sudden flashes of highintensity light. Desirable properties of a limiter include a low threshold, a fast response, and wide dynamic and transmission ranges

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA447763

Entities

People

  • Armand Rosenberg
  • James Shirk

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Band Gaps
  • Crystal Lattices
  • Crystal Structure
  • Crystals
  • Dielectric Permittivity
  • Diffraction
  • Intensity
  • Materials
  • Optical Limiters
  • Optical Properties
  • Photonic Crystals
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Spectra
  • Two Dimensional
  • Visible Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design