Optical Nonlinear Properties and Optical Switching of Henna (Lawson) Films

The nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear refractive index have been investigated for Henna (Lawson) ( 2- hydroxyl-1,4 naphthoquinone) film using Z scan experiment at wavelengths 488 nm 514 nm and 633nm. The Z-scan measurements indicated that the Henna sample exhibited large nonlinear optical properties at low input power. The sample exhibited saturation absorption process at wavelengths 488 nm and 514 nm and exhibited a reverse saturation absorption process at wavelength 633nm. Intensity dependence of the nonlinear absorption b reveals that the Henna can be considered as a potential candidate for optical limiting at 633 nm. The optical nonlinearities were utilized to demonstrate all optical switching.