Z-scan of ITO nanocrystals embedded within glass matrix

This study focuses on studying the nonlinear optical properties of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) nanocrystals embedded in an aluminoborosilicate glass matrix using the Z-scan technique with a 532 nm, 550 ps laser. After a 10-hour heat treatment at 650°C, which facilitated the formation of 5-10 nm ITO nanocrystals, the resulting glass-ceramic exhibited notable nonlinear optical behavior, including third- and fifth-order nonlinearities, saturable absorption, and two-photon absorption (TPA). The effective nonlinear refraction n_2^eff was 72×10^(-16) 〖cm〗^2⁄(W (≈26×10^(-13) esu)), with a nonlinear absorption coefficient β=1.09 cm/GW. High-intensity exposures induced photo-induced changes, further enhancing the response.