Nonlinear transmission of single-wall carbon nanotubesin heavy water at a wavelength of 1.54 μm and self-mode locking in a Er3+ : glass laser obtained using a passive nanotube switch

The nonlinear transmission of light by single-wall carbon nanotube suspensions in D₂O at a wavelength of 1.54 μm is studied. For the 250-ns probe pulse and the 40-MW cm^-2 maximum intensity of radiation incident on a cell, the decrease in the absorption coefficient was 3.6 cm^-1 while the absorption coefficient in a weak field was 17 cm^-1. Q-switching and self-mode locking were obtained in a pulsed Er³⁺ : glass laser by using a cell with the nanotube suspension as a passive filter.