A new class of materials for optical power limiting

Optical power limiting can be accomplished by a variety of materials whose spectral and temporal utility is determined by a number of parameters. The most important determinant of how a particular material will perform is defined by the mechanism(s) by which optical power limiting is achieved. This paper discusses the use of complementary materials to obtain the greatest spectral and temporal range. One new class of materials has strongly absorbing charge states (cationic and dicationic) which make them highly desirable for consideration. Several materials are discussed along with their optical characterization. These processes can be carried out in solutions containing various compounds including electron accepters. Other materials such as two photon absorbing materials exhibit optical power limiting with shorter response times and/or over different spectral regions. Recent progress in the development and characterization of two photon absorbing compounds is discussed with particular attention to how they can be used in a complementary fashion with other compounds operating through other mechanisms to deliver broad optical power limiting responses.