Nonlinear response and optical limiting in SrBi(2)Ta(2)O(9) thin films.

SrBi(2)Ta(2)O(9) (SBT) thin films on quartz substrates were prepared by use of the pulsed-laser deposition technique. The nonlinear refractive indices, n(2) , of the SBT films were measured by use of z-scan techniques with picosecond pulses. Large negative nonlinear refractive indices of 3.84 and 3.58cm(2)/GW were obtained for the wavelengths 532 nm and 1.064mum , respectively. The two-photon absorption coefficient was determined to be 7.3 cm/GW for 532 nm. The limiting behavior of SBT thin film on a quartz substrate was investigated in an f/5 defocusing geometry by use of 38-ps-duration, 532-nm, 1.064mum laser excitation.