All-optical switching and limiting properties of a Ru (II) Schiff-base complex for nonlinear optical applications

A salen-based ruthenium (Ru) (II) complex was synthesized for possible use in nonlinear optical device applications. The Ru complex was doped in a polymer matrix to fabricate films using a low-cost spin-coating technique. The third-order nonlinear optical parameters of the complex were investigated by Z-scan and degenerate four-wave mixing techniques. The study reveals two-order enhancement of third-order optical susceptibility χ ⁽³⁾ and exhibits superior limiting capability due to a reverse saturable absorption process. All-optical switching action for the films indicates that the sample can function as an optical inverter or a NOT gate. Hence, the Ru (II) Schiff-base complex materializes as a possible candidate for use in nonlinear optical devices. (paper)