Two-photon Absorption | previous | next | feedback |
(Acronym: TPA)
Definition: a nonlinear absorption process where two photons are simultaneously absorbed
Two-photon absorption is a process where two photons are absorbed simultaneously, exciting e.g. an atom or ion to higher-lying state, with the energy increase being equal to the sum of the photon energies. This is a nonlinear process, occurring with significant rates only at high optical intensities, because the two-photon absorption coefficient is proportional to the optical intensity:
The absorbed power is thus proportional to the square of the optical input power.
Figure 1: Two-photon absorption in a semiconductor allows for absorption of light even if the photon energy is below the bandgap energy.
In an insulator or semiconductor, two-photon absorption can occur only if the photon energy is at least half the bandgap energy. Therefore, there are e.g. no losses via two-photon absorption when ultrashort pulses at 800 nm wavelength propagate in a silica fiber. On the other hand, two-photon absorption at the same wavelength can occur in semiconductors (see Figure 1), having a much smaller bandgap. This is used e.g. in compact autocorrelators for pulse duration measurements: a photodiode which is normally not sensitive at the laser wavelength exhibits a photocurrent only due to TPA. The effect can also modify the saturation characteristics of semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors, leading to a roll-over of the saturation curve which can help e.g. to suppress Q-switching instabilities.
The phenomenon of two-photon absorption finds applications in various technical areas. For example, it is used in simple autocorrelators for pulse characterization, where TPA in a photodiode, having a bandgap energy larger than the photon energy, is exploited to obtain a nonlinear response. Also, two-photon absorption is often used in fluorescence microscopy (→ two-photon microscopy) for exciting fluorescence with an infrared laser beam, which can easily penetrate the sample. In other cases, TPA is exploited for optical power limiting or for microfabrication.
Detrimental TPA effects can occur for nonlinear frequency conversion of ultrashort pulses in nonlinear crystal materials, particularly for conversion of short wavelengths, e.g. in UV sources. The transmission of pulsed pump light (or e.g. frequency-doubled light) is then significantly lower than for continuous-wave radiation with the same average power. In some materials, the generation of free carriers via TPA can cause photodarkening. TPA can also modify the saturation characteristics of saturable absorbers.
Bibliography
| [1] | W. Kaiser and C. G. B. Garrett, "Two-photon excitation in CaF2:Eu2+" (first experimental demonstration of two-photon absorption), Phys. Rev. Lett. 7 (6), 229 (1961) |
| [2] | E. Van Stryland, "Energy band-gap dependence of two-photon absorption", Opt. Lett. 10 (10), 490 (1985) |
| [3] | M. Sheik-Bahae et al., "Dispersion and band-gap scaling of the electronic Kerr effect in solids associated with two-photon absorption", Phys. Rev. Lett. 65 (1), 96 (1990) |
| [4] | E. R. Thoen et al., "Two-photon absorption in semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors", Appl. Phys. Lett. 74, 3927 (1999) |
See also: nonlinearities
Category: physical foundations
