Self-focusing in Terbium Gallium Garnet using Z-scan

International audience; When illuminated near its resonance with an Ar ion laser beam (lambda=488 nm), laser induced thermal self-focusing is observed in Terbium Gallium Garnet. The crystal exhibits a strong intensity dependent refractive index change Dn. The Z-scan technique is used to study the beam waist change due to Dn. The refractive index is found to be well described by a quadratic spatial distribution model. Both the sign and the distribution coefficient of Dn are determined.