Optical power limiting in solid state porphyrin polycarbonate composites

We have fabricated Polycarbonate/Porphyrin blends. The mixtures were prepared with the use of solvents suitable to both the Porphyrins and the Polycarbonate. Thin films were prepared by evaporation of the blends on a Teflon substrate. The samples exhibit reverse saturable absorption. We present results of optical power limiting experiments for the composites of films sandwiched between Polycarbonate sheets. The composites have high impact strength and remarkable mechanical robustness.