Adjusting the nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of MAPbBr3/PMMA by doping with Zn

Third-order nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of MAPbBr3/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) are adjusted by doping with Zn. X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence are performed to confirm the effective doping of Zn. Typical reverse saturable absorption and self-focusing effects are observed in the undoped MAPbBr3/PMMA and Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA. After Zn doping, the nonlinear absorption coefficient becomes larger but nonlinear refraction coefficient becomes smaller. This may be related to the decreased defect states after Zn doping. Besides, both values of the optical limiting threshold and the clamping normalized transmittance for the Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA are obviously smaller than those of the undoped sample, indicating that its optical limiting property enhances. The reverse saturable absorption properties are caused by one photon absorption-induced excited-state absorption processes, which have been explained by using three-energy-level diagrams. The nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of the Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA make it show great potentials for application in optical limiter. •The defect concentration of MAPbBr3 is reduced after Zn doping.•The undoped MAPbBr3/PMMA and Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA both exhibit reverse saturable absorption properties and self-focusing effects.•The nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of MAPbBr3 are enhanced after Zn doping.•The Zn-doped MAPbBr3/PMMA shows great potentials for application in optical limiter.