Nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption of nanocomposite materials with silver nanoparticles in the field of picosecond and nanosecond pulses

Nonlinear refractive indices of composite materials doped silver nanoparticles have been measured using the Z-scan technique at the wavelength of 532 nm. Intensity dependent measurements showed the competition of several resonances in composite materials. The mechanisms responsible for nonlinear refraction process are discussed.