Picosecond third-order nonlinearity of lead-oxide glasses in the infrared

International audienceHeavy metal-oxide glasses containing lead and bismuth were prepared, and their picosecond third-order nonlinear (NL) optical characteristics were investigated. NL refractive indices of ≈ 10−18 m2/W at 1064 nm were measured. Negligible NL absorption was verified and, as a consequence, the samples present a good factor-of-merit for photonic applications.