Deviation of optical limiting performances from the polymer matrix in the polymer based solid samples

Polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) are the most widely used transparent matrices for the preparation of solid samples of optical limiting materials. It was observed that the polymer matrices (PC and PMMA) were damaged when exposed to laser radiation, and optical limiting effects emerged after laser damage. The damage thresholds and laser tolerance times of different commercial PCs and polymerized PMMA were systematically investigated through Z-scans. This study demonstrates that (1) the polymer matrix is not applicable for practical applications of optical limiters, and (2) the optical limiting performance of polymer matrix solid samples may be deviated.