Date of Award

8-2021

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Physics, Applied

First Advisor

Chandra Yelleswarapu

Second Advisor

Mohamed Amine Gharbi

Third Advisor

Jonathan Celli

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles come in various sizes and shapes. Their optical properties arise from surface plasmon resonance, collective excitation/oscillation of conduction electrons. The study of the nonlinear optical properties of these materials is essential for photonic and biomedical applications. In this thesis, nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles dispersed in the nematic liquid crystal were studied using optical and photoacoustic Z-scan techniques. Results show enhanced nonlinearity when gold is dispersed in planar-oriented 5CB liquid crystals compared to when liquid crystals were not oriented (degenerate). Also, sample with low gold concentration, by weight percentage, shows the better nonlinearity. Reasons behind the influence of the nonlinear effect and future plans were also discussed.

Included in

Physics Commons

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