Dynamics of reverse saturable absorption and all-optical switching in C_60

The dynamic processes of reverse saturable absorption (RSA) in a solution of C60 are studied in detail by use of rate equations and the light-propagation equation for a five-energy-level model. The RSA experimental results for C60 in toluene solution with a nanosecond–picosecond Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm are consistent with the theoretical simulations. Effects of sample concentration and thickness on RSA and contributions of the singlet and triplet excited states to RSA for various laser-pulse widths and wavelengths are also analyzed. Finally, an all-optical switch based on excited-state nonlinear absorption and the pump-probe technique is implemented.