Z-SCAN MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE FOR NON-GAUSSIAN BEAMS AND ARBITRARY SAMPLE THICKNESSES

We demonstrate a new Z-scan measurement technique that permits the use of non-Gaussian beams and thick, as well as thin, samples. We expect that this technique will make possible the measurement of optical nonl inearities by the use of lasers that previously would have been unsuit able for this purpose, because of either inadequate beam quality or in adequate power. Another advantage of this technique is that it does no t require detailed knowledge of the temporal characteristics of the la ser pulse that is used. (C) 1995 Optical Society of America