Large third-order optical nonlinearity realized in symmetric nonpolar carotenoids

Fujiwara, M., Yamauchi, K., Sugisaki, M., Yanagi, K., Gall, A., Robert, B., Cogdell, R.J. and Hashimoto, H. (2008) Large third-order optical nonlinearity realized in symmetric nonpolar carotenoids. Physical Review B, 78(16), p. 161101. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.161101)

Abstract

We show that a very large enhancement of third-order optical nonlinearity (gamma) of pi-conjugated molecules can be realized without a major redshift of the absorption spectrum that disturbs optical transparency in the visible region. By changing the number (n) of C=C bonds of beta carotene (n=11) from 7 to 15, a remarkable 3.4-fold increase in the gamma value was observed when n=15 relative to that of beta carotene. This enhancement of gamma mainly originates from three-photon resonance of a lowest optically allowed excited state. The controversial higher-lying essential state is not important for generating the large value of gamma

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cogdell, Professor Richard
• Authors: Fujiwara, M., Yamauchi, K., Sugisaki, M., Yanagi, K., Gall, A., Robert, B., Cogdell, R.J., and Hashimoto, H.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
• Journal Name: Physical Review B
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 1098-0121
• ISSN (Online): 1550-235X