Spectroscopic properties and three-photon absorption induced optical limiting of series of novel nonlinear chromophores

Three novel nonlinear chrornophores with symmetric D-Pi-D molecular structure and extended conjugated length were synthesized. Solvatochromism analysis shows great symmetric intramolecular charge transfer occurring in chromophores by the enhancement in the dipole moment between the ground and excited states. The properties of optical power limiting induced by three-photon absorption (3PA) are demonstrated. Large 3PA coefficients and the corresponding molecular cross sections as high as 10(-74) cm(6)s(2) were obtained for nanosecond laser pulses at, 1.06 mu m from nonlinear transmission measurements.