Nonlinear and thermo-optical characterization of bare imidazolium ionic liquids

TL;DR

This study investigates the nonlinear and thermo-optical properties of two ionic liquids, introducing the first nonlinear refractive index measurement of a pristine ionic liquid using standard self-refraction methods, with potential applications in photonics.

Contribution

It provides the first nonlinear refractive index measurement of a pristine ionic liquid and characterizes its thermo-optical properties using femtosecond laser techniques.

Findings

BMIOMe.NTf2 exhibits significant nonlinear optical properties.

Thermo-optical coefficients and lens strength were quantified.

BMIOMe.NTf2 is suitable for photonics applications.

Abstract

Nonlinear optical and thermo-optical properties of two pure ionic liquids, BMIOMe.NTf2 and BMIOMe.N(CN)2, were examined here. It was the first nonlinear refractive index determination of a pristine ionic liquid by a standard self-refraction experiment. The nonlinear optical characterizations were performed using Z-scan and EZ-scan techniques in the thermally managed approach with a mode-locked femtosecond laser source. Thermal properties were analyzed concomitantly and the thermo-optical coefficient, thermal characteristic time, and lens strength were characterized. These results show that BMIOMe.NTf2 is a prominent material to be engineered for photonics applications