Optical limiting in lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate multilayers

Optical limiting in highly oriented lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate multilayers has been investigated at both 1.064 and 0.532 mu m wavelengths. Limiting thresholds for three such multilayers having periods of 20, 106, and 218 nm, respectively, were determined at the level similar to 220 mu J/pulse for 1.064 mu m and similar to 150 mu J/pulse for 0.532 mu m. Nonlinear optical scattering from domain walls was used to explain the observed limiting behavior. Possible formation of nonlinear refraction grating was also discussed. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.