NONLINEAR-OPTICAL CHRISTIANSEN FILTER AS AN OPTICAL POWER LIMITER

We have constructed an optical power limiter based on nonlinear induce d scattering in a cell containing crushed glass and a mixture of aceto ne and carbon disulfide. For 30-ps-long laser pulses the transmitted e nergy saturates at a value of 6 mu J. We also present the results of a theoretical modeling study that shows how the operating characteristi cs of such a device can be optimized. (C) 1996 Optical Society of Amer ica