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Optical tweezers enable noncontact trapping of microscale objects using light. It is not known how tightly it is possible to three-dimensionally (3D) trap microparticles with a given photon budget. Reaching this elusive limit would enable maximally stiff particle trapping for precision measurements on the nanoscale and photon-efficient tweezing of light-sensitive objects. Here, we customize the shape of light fields to suit specific particles, with the aim of optimizing trapping stiffness in 3D. We show, theoretically, that the confinement volume of microspheres held in sculpted optical traps can be reduced by one to two orders of magnitude. Experimentally, we use a wavefront shaping-inspired strategy to passively suppress the Brownian fluctuations of microspheres in every direction concurrently, demonstrating order-of-magnitude reductions in their confinement volumes. Our work paves the way toward the fundamental limits of optical control over the mesoscopic realm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the extraction of natural pigment curcumin from curcuma longa and their linear and third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics. The characterization techniques viz., UV–Visible absorption, FT-IR, Micro Raman and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrum (GC–MS) are used to study the spectral characteristics of curcumin. Third-order NLO features of curcumin are studied using Z‒scan technique with a semiconductor diode laser working at 405 nm wavelength. The natural pigment exhibits negative nonlinear index of refraction resulting from self-defocusing and positive coefficient of absorption is the consequence of reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The order of nonlinear index of refraction (n2) and nonlinear coefficient of absorption (β) is measured to be 10−7 cm2/W and 10−2 cm/W, respectively. Third-order NLO susceptibility (χ(3)) and second-order hyperpolarizability (γ) of curcumin is measured to be 2.73 × 10‒7 esu and 1.67 × 10‒31 esu, respectively. A low optical limiting (OL) threshold of 0.71 mW is observed in the extracted pigment. The experimental results are supplemented by quantum mechanical calculations of the NLO parameters. The overall result finding is that curcumin extracted from curcuma longa has the potential to be novel optical candidates for photonics and optoelectronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Mn2O3/PVC, a polyvinyl chloride doped with various Mn2O3 nanoparticles, is prepared, and characterized. Solution casting was used to create Mn2O3/PVC polymeric nanocomposite films. The X-ray diffraction method verified that the Mn2O3NPs were effectively disseminated in a PVC matrix with a single-phase structure. According to the Debye-Scherer formula, the crystallite size of Mn2O3 nanoparticles is 22.08 nm. The casting process is expected to cause Mn2O3 nanoparticles in the PVC matrix to aggregate. Through the construction of a hydrogen bond, FTIR validated the Mn2O3/PVC nanocomposite's physical interaction. According to UV/Vis/IR analysis, the optical energy gap values decrease as Mn2O3 NP concentration increases. This indicates that complexes of charge transfer between the polymer and Mn-ions are developing. The investigated material demonstrated good optical limiting performance when laser sources of 533 nm were used instead of laser sources of 632.8 nm. Mn2O3/PVC nanocomposite can function as a photocatalyst to enhance the efficiency of Carmine dye photodegradation. The most effective Mn2O3/PVC nanocomposite film for the visible photocatalysis of Carmine dye is 3.33 wt% Mn2O3/PVC. Mn2O3/PVC has been shown to be a promising material for use in photocatalytic, optoelectronic, and electronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical communication systems introduced paradigm shift in the forte of data transmission at higher speeds and over longer distances where, on contrary electrical transmission systems failed due to higher amplitude degradation, interferences and lower bandwidths. However, pulse width increase (PWI) in the optical fiber limits the overall distance reach and also introduces more bit errors which needs to addressed. So far, pulse width shortening fibers (PFs) and fiber Bragg grating (FG) used individually in most of the reported studies, however pulse width shortening (PWS) took either high cost (in PFs) or lower PWS efficiency (PWSE) (in FG). Therefore, in this research manuscript, we made emphasis on the combined PWS effects of diverse techniques such as optical phase conjugation (OC), FG and PFs in ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system. Total link length of 400 km has been covered in 128 channels ultra dense wavelength division multiplexing (UDWDM) system at 10 Gbps by incorporating diverse combined organized placements of FG, OC and PFs such as FG-PF, OC-PF and FG-PF-OC. Results revealed that economical and maximum PWSE arrangement for proposed system is FG-PF-OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a specific focus on graphene‐ferrite nanocomposites, this comprehensive review provides insight into their nonlinear and optical limiting features. The intriguing combination of graphene electronic structure and the versatility of ferrites results in a diverse range of composites materials with exceptional properties. This unique synergy opens up numerous practical applications across different sectors. The review article, which primarily focuses on recent advances in research, delves into the structural characteristics and attributes of these hybrids, highlighting their behavior in nonlinear refraction, nonlinear absorption, and optical limiting. Further, the explorations of cutting‐edge strategies for the development of wavelength and intensity‐dependent optical limiters are detailed. Additionally, this review emphasizes the challenges that still need to be overcome to fully utilize graphene–ferrite composites in nonlinear optical process and optical limiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a thermally tunable optical resonator operating in the visible wavelength range is reported, which consists of a bilayer structure composed of a thin silver layer and a dielectric coating of [Fe(HB(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)3)2] switchable spin‐crossover (SCO) molecules. White light is coupled to the resonant structure using a prism and the resulting resonance spectra are investigated as a function of the incident angle and temperature. Switching the SCO molecules from the low‐spin to the high‐spin state gives rise to a substantial blueshift of the resonances reaching up to 30 nm (associated with a reflectance modulation of up to 70%), which can be linked, through transfer‐matrix simulations, to the variation of the optical thickness of the molecular layer. Interestingly, the study demonstrated that the large thermal tunability of the device also gives rise to a photothermal nonlinearity, which can be leveraged for achieving optical limiting applications. Overall, through the present study, it is shown that molecular SCO nanomaterials can be superior to commonly used thermo‐optical switches and well‐established optical phase‐change materials for applications requiring high broadband optical transparency in the visible spectral domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent past the molecular engineering of coordination metal complexes has attracted new interest in the field of nonlinear optics (NLO), which find their applications in optoelectronics and optical data storage technology it is the transition metal along with the organic moieties that induce the control over the optical nonlinearity these properties of the materials not only enhance the intensity but also have a drastic effect on the polarization of incident laser light. This is an important criterion for all-optical switching applications. Coordination metal complexes are a very good target to aim at because of their robustness, physical and chemical stability, and other variable degrees that lead to an increment in NLO responses, most importantly all these properties can be either manipulated or tailored or tunable according to the requirement. Apart from the metal center, these molecules acting as legend must be chromophoric with donor-acceptor nature. In these molecules, the NLO response is intrinsically based on the 'push-pull' mechanism of the electrons. Obviously to these molecules, when a metal is in contact, the electronic push-pull mechanism alters rendering the molecule non-symmetric. This review article mainly concentrates on small mononuclear metal complexes for NLO application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the nonlinear refractive index (n2) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) of acid blue 129 (AB 129) dye-doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) thin film with different dye concentrations using Z-scan technique. The experimental technique consists of a continuous wave laser with 5 mW power working at 635 nm wavelength. The normalized transmittance curve suggests that the dye-doped polymer film exhibits a self-defocusing nonlinear index of refraction and a large nonlinear absorption coefficient ascribed to the behaviour of reverse saturable absorption. The order of third-order NLO susceptibility of the sample is estimated to be 10‒5 esu. The dye-doped polymer films show a low-limiting threshold of 0.15 kW cm–2 at 0.04 mM dye concentration and believed that the prepared thin film is a suitable candidate for application in optical limiting. The self-diffraction pattern is observed at far-field and estimated the nonlinear refractive index of the thin film using this technique. The results of the nonlinear refractive index of the sample obtained from the self-diffraction method are comparable with Z-scan results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficient of anthraquinone dye (disperse blue 14)-doped polymer film using a facile Z-scan technique. The Z-scan studies were carried out using a semiconductor diode laser with a constant power output of 5 mW at a wavelength of 635 nm as the source of excitation. The Z-scan technique consists of closed and open aperture methods, which revealed the self-defocusing and reverse saturable absorption mechanisms based optical nonlinearity. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ(3)) of dye-doped polymer film was estimated to be in the order of 10–5 esu. Optical limiting (OL) behaviour of the polymer film with different dye concentrations was performed under the same experimental conditions and found to be a low OL threshold of 1.45 × 102 W cm–2 at 0.04 mM dye concentration. Self-diffraction ring pattern of the polymer film was also noticed in the far field. The overall results found that the dye-doped polymer film is a potential material for photonics and optoelectronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a theoretically lossless pancake optics solution that incorporates a nonreciprocal polarization rotator sandwiched between two reflective polarizers. A proof‐of‐concept experiment using a commercially available Faraday rotator (FR) is implemented. The theoretically predicted 100% efficiency can indeed be achieved approximately by using two high extinction ratio reflective polarizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An FT-IR spectrometer and a UV–Visible spectrometer were utilised in order to characterise the Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside chloride (C3OC) dye. The dye’s thermally induced optical nonlinearity was measured in a dimethylformamide solvent using an adjustable diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser at 473 nm. The optical response was measured using the Z-scan technique. The dye showed negative and large nonlinear refractive index) NRX) values, with high nonlinear absorption coefficients (NBO). Because of its ability to change with concentration, the NRX is a viable candidate for applications in the field of nonlinear optics. Thermal lens (THS) technique was used to investigate thermo-optical properties and the NRX. The optical limiter capabilities of the C3OC dye are being investigated as a potential use.

Tuning of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) in a molecule could be used to modulate its linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) response properties. Over the years, the ICT process in the so-called "push–pull" molecules in which electron donor (D) and acceptor (A) groups are connected either directly or through a π-electron bridge has been used for emission color tuning, modulating absorption maxima, optimizing first or higher order hyperpolarizabilities, and two-photon absorption (TPA), among others. As ICT is the functional basis of many optoelectronic and semiconductor devices, optimizing the parameters involved in this process as well as modeling the effect of the environment and intermolecular interaction are crucial for these applications. NLO processes such as second harmonic generation, sum-frequency generation, and TPA have been used extensively for numerous technological applications, such as optical switching, optical limiting, bioimaging, and biophotonics. Recently, through-bond and through-space ICT have been employed to tune the reverse intersystem crossing that facilitates thermally activated delayed fluorescence for fabricating next-generation organic light-emitting diodes. Aggregation-induced emission of ICT molecules either alone or in combination with the other phenomenon, such as TPA, could be useful in many optical applications. In this perspective, the state-of-the-art and challenges in designing ICT-based molecules and materials for optical applications will be discussed. The underlying theories used to quantify the magnitude of ICT and NLO response are mentioned, followed by a discussion on the latest development and scope of using these molecules and materials for optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract There is a mounting demand for nonlinear optical materials with superior optical limiting performance which has a noticeable impact on protecting the delicate optical components from laser-induced damage. Transition metal molybdates have garnered attention in the nonlinear optics field due to their outstanding optical and luminescent properties, which give rise to widespread applications in next-generation optoelectronics devices. The structural confirmation of the as prepared silver molybdate nanoparticles were made by XRD and Raman spectroscopy analysis. The linear optical properties and the band gap of the synthesized material were studied using UV–Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy. SEM analysis revealed the pebble like morphology of the silver molybdate nanostructures. The nonlinear responses of the samples were studied using open aperture z-scan approach with Nd:YAG pulsed laser (532 nm, 9 ns, 10 Hz). The sample exhibits reverse saturable absorption pattern attributed to the two photon absorption (2PA) mechanism. The obtained OL threshold value is in the order of 1012 which is suitable for fabricating optical limiters in nano second pulsed laser regime.

Nonlinear optical limiting (OL) properties of carboxyl-functionalized Ti3C2 nanosheets (COOH-MXene) were studied using the nanosecond laser Z-scan technology. COOH-MXene showed excellent broadband OL properties with OL thresholds of 0.34 J/cm2 at 532 nm and 0.58 J/cm2 at 1064 nm, and the OL mechanism was mainly attributed to the reverse saturable absorption effect. Femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption measurements were used to clarify the ultrafast carrier dynamics in the OL process, and the results revealed that excited states absorption (ESA) in MXene was enhanced by introducing more carboxyl group terminations. When COOH-MXene was irradiated by laser pulses, excited electrons in the conduction band of MXene could transfer to the carboxyl groups and induce the ESA in the surface functional groups, resulting in the excellent OL property of COOH-MXene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report direct, economic, and facile preparation of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide material molybdenum diselenide nanosheets through the ultrasonication assisted liquid exfoliation method. The optical absorption spectra confirm the formation of MoSe2 nanosheets. The Kramers–Kronig expression was used to estimate the refractive index and extinction coefficient values of the prepared nanosheets. The emission properties of the prepared samples were done using photoluminescence spectroscopy. The nonlinear optical studies were performed using an open aperture Z-scan method under nanosecond pulsed laser excitation of a second harmonic generation wavelength of 532 nm. The obtained results demonstrate the strong optical power limiting (OPL) properties of the MoSe2 nanosheets. This OPL is due to two-photon absorption behavior of MoSe2 nanosheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic supremacy of a hybrid nanocomposite made of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and gold nanoparticles (Au) for Q-switching and optical limiting applications is investigated. Hydrothermally synthesized Au-rGO-MoS2 hybrid with varying concentrations of Au (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt%) was subjected to interact with Q-switched Nd:YAG nanosecond green laser pulses. The intensity dependent nonlinear absorption studies revealed a switch over in the nonlinear behaviour from saturable absorption (SA) to reverse saturable absorption (RSA) behaviour. SA occurs due to ground state bleaching at comparatively lower laser irradiances serving the need for Q-switching and optical communications. The RSA trait at higher laser irradiance is attributed to sequential two-photon absorption which serves as the platform for optical limiting behaviour prompting laser safety and effective photothermal therapy applications. The strong mid-visible and UV absorption promotes the availability of multiple energy bands for energy transitions of excited state absorption (ESA). Enhanced local fields due to localized surface plasmon resonance effect, structural defects, hierarchical morphology, increased absorption cross-section and plasmon induced energy transfer promotes robust ESA process. These tunable nonlinear optical properties make Au-rGO-MoS2 hybrid promising futuristic candidates for applications in nonlinear photonic devices, ultrafast optical switches and all-optical signal processing systems.

The utilization of two-dimensional (2D) materials in optoelectronic devices has witnessed a surge. Production of 2D ultrathin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets without the use of toxic precursors and without altering the phase of the material is still a task. We developed a cost-effective liquid-phase exfoliation method that is free of additives, utilizing ultrasound to produce a significant amount of nearly single-layered MoS2 nanosheets by employing isopropyl alcohol and deionized water as a cosolvent. This work addresses the deficiencies in the current state-of-the-art studies by exploring the mechanism governing ultrasonic cavitation, resulting in MoS2 nanosheets. Various sonication durations were altered to investigate the relationship between the duration of sonication and the dimensionality of the resulting nanosheets. The findings revealed that prolonged sonication durations yielded bilayered and trilayered nanosheets. The reduction in layer thickness was confirmed by Raman modes as the sonication time increased. Size-dependent optical studies indicated that the optical properties have enhanced as the sonication time increased. An open-aperture Z-scan investigation was conducted to explore the size-dependent nonlinear optical features of MoS2 nanosheets, employing a 532 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet pulsed laser in a nanosecond pulsed regime. The optical limiting performance of the nanosheets sonicated at various time intervals was accessed and it was observed that as the nanosheets' thickness decreases, the optical limiting behavior improves. Due to two-photon absorption, MoS2 nanosheets display optical limiting behaviors through reverse saturable absorption. Optical limiting thresholds as low as 2.98 × 1012 W/m2 are attained. This significant enhancement suggests that these ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets are suitable for applications in laser shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical non-linearities play a crucial role in enabling efficient and ultrafast switching applications that are essential for next-generation photonic devices. ZnS phosphor material produces the best results in terms of increased luminescence quantum yield when doped with certain impurities. Nevertheless, the investigation of the third-order non-linear optical susceptibility of the phosphor materials can be exploited for various switching applications. In this regard, we review the recent advancements in the investigation of non-linear optical properties of ZnS phosphors, where the knowledge of absorption and refraction is utilized in various optical and detector applications. Furthermore, the review highlights strategies employed to enhance the non-linear optical response of phosphor materials as well as a general discussion of an attosecond optical switching scheme which can be used to fabricate devices with petahertz speeds. Consequently, we provide a solution to the unsolved problem of the significant extension of optical limiting applications to switching applications by developing design strategies to manipulate conventional ZnS phosphor material. The potential challenges and future prospects of utilizing phosphor materials for switching applications are also addressed. The strategies for manipulating ZnS phosphor can be generalized for a broad range of other materials by minimizing linear and non-linear losses, while enhancing the values of the non-linear refractive index coefficient. We propose that the figure-of-merit of ZnS material can be enhanced by using a suitable combination of pump and probe wavelength values, which can be useful for optical switching applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In silico investigation of the effects of a molecule's framework and surroundings on its nonlinear optical (NLO) response is still an active topic of study in the fields of photonics and optoelectronics. NLO materials play a crucial role in modern photonics and optoelectronic technologies. Presented here is a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the structural, topological, and NLO features of 1-methylurea butanedioic acid (MUBA) alongside solvent effects (water, DMSO, and benzene) using the DFT method at the B3LYP(D4)/6–311++G(d,p) level. Geometric and infrared parameters were calculated and compared with experimental values. The analysis using atoms in molecules (AIM) and the independent gradient model (IGM) reveals the presence of two noncovalent intermolecular interactions: N4–H16⋯O12 and O6–H25⋯O3, which stabilize the crystal structure. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis reveals that the LP(1)N4 ⟶ π ∗ (C2-O3) interaction is the most stabilizing and is enhanced in solvent environments. NLO data show that the first ( β tot ) and second ( γ ) hyperpolarizability values of MUBA are approximately 0.6–1.1 and 8.3–17.0 times higher than those of urea. In addition, the quadratic and cubic responses of MUBA are significantly reduced and increased, respectively, in solvent environments. Based on its NLO susceptibilities, MUBA exhibits SHG, EOPE, OKE, and EFISHG properties, suggesting its potential application in the production of optoelectronic devices and optical limiting. This study enhances our understanding of the factors influencing the NLO behaviour of organic crystals, providing valuable insights for designing materials with enhanced NLO characteristics. The implications extend to industries such as telecommunications and computing, where faster data transmission rates are in high demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical inspection is used in large-scale manufacturing processes to identify the pattern defect. However, the capture rate of killer defects is low due to the resolution limit of optical inspection. The Voltage Contrast (VC) technique of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was developed to detect killer defects. The VC electron beam inspection is a widely used method in the IC manufacturing industry for the monitoring and characterisation of electrical defects at an early stage. The major drawback of E-Beam inspection is low throughput. To enhance the chip yield, some defects should be detected and reduced in the early stage of fabrication. Herein, we present the Back End of Line (BEOL) fabrication with 0.18 µm process technology and the application of VC methodology to inspect electrical defects. The defects mostly occur due to marginal process window, which affects the etching and lithography process. These effects lead to metal shorts and partial etch of interconnect producing open VIA12. Using inline VC-SEM the invisible defects can be detected at an early stage and chip yield can be further improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated photonic neural networks (PNNs) usually adopt traditional convolutional neural network (CNN) or multilayer perceptron (MLP) network models. These models consist of horizontally cascaded deep layer architectures interleaved by nonlinear activation functions. However, there are practical challenges for on-chip realizing such architectures, including the optical loss and the lack of efficient on-chip optical activation nonlinearity. Here, we propose a vertically hierarchical photonic neural network leveraging electro-optical element-wise multiplication to extract an element-wise feature in a polynomial projection space, which enables high-accuracy classification. For this network architecture, the light propagates through only two fully connected linear layers; thus, vertical extension to the deep layer is not limited by optical loss. This electro-photonic network can perform equivalently to or outperform optical CNN and MLP models even without interleaving deep layers by activation functions, benchmarking ∼97.9%, ∼87.7%, and ∼90.3% average blind-testing accuracies, for the whole test sets of MNIST handwritten digits, Fashion-MNIST images, and KMNIST Japanese cursive characters, respectively. It also demonstrates a >99% accuracy for boundary prediction of 12-labeled clusters. This work presents a different PNN architecture, which offers both high performance and better amenability to an integrated photonics platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4-Methylbenzylammonium hydrogen succinate (4MLBAHS) was synthesized and successfully grown via a slow solvent evaporation process. The structure was solved and the space group identified as P 1 ¯ . In the 4MLBAHS molecule, 4-methylbenzylammonium and hydrogen succinate are linked by O–H···O and N–H···O bonds. Functional group vibrations were revealed through vibrational analysis. UV–Vis–NIR analysis was used to determine the transparency bandwidth range from 260 nm to 1100 nm. 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy established the carbon–hydrogen network in 4MLBAHS. In 1H NMR, the chemical shift for the NH2 group of 4-methylbenzylamine was revealed at 1.42 ppm. This was shifted to 8.094 ppm in 4MLBAHS, owing to the origination of the N–H···O bond between the 4-methylbenzylammonium cation and hydrogen succinate anion. The third-order nonlinear optical characteristics were analysed using Z-scan analysis. χ3 was established as 3.0879 × 10−5 esu. The presence of hydrogen bond interactions in the 4MLBAHS crystal enhanced the χ3 value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascularized organoid-on-a-chip (VOoC) models achieve substance exchange in deep layers of organoids and provide a more physiologically relevant system in vitro. Common designs for VOoC primarily involve two categories: self-assembly of endothelial cells (ECs) to form microvessels and pre-patterned vessel lumens, both of which include the hydrogel region for EC growth and allow for controlled fluid perfusion on the chip. Characterizing the vasculature of VOoC often relies on high-resolution microscopic imaging. However, the high scattering of turbid tissues can limit optical imaging depth. To overcome this limitation, tissue optical clearing (TOC) techniques have emerged, allowing for 3D visualization of VOoC in conjunction with optical imaging techniques. The acquisition of large-scale imaging data, coupled with high-resolution imaging in whole-mount preparations, necessitates the development of highly efficient analysis methods. In this review, we provide an overview of the chip designs and culturing strategies employed for VOoC, as well as the applicable optical imaging and TOC methods. Furthermore, we summarize the vascular analysis techniques employed in VOoC, including deep learning. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges in VOoC and vascular analysis methods and provide an outlook for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closely packed nanoparticles in polymer films are interesting materials where collective as interactive optical properties could be tuned based on nanoparticle proximity, surface morphology, types of encapsulation and matrix parameters. Two types of polymers (polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA))-based nanocomposite films featuring dual-colored emission peaks (~578 nm and ~650 nm) were fabricated from CdSe quantum dots to study their viability in optoelectronic applications. Using a 405 nm excitation laser, the evolution of photoluminescence (PL) intensities and peak wavelengths were examined as a function of increasing excitation intensity. While PL intensities showed systematic saturation and quenching, the emission wavelengths were found to be linearly red shifting with increasing excitation intensities in the PMMA films. The 650 nm emitting QDs seem to tune the PL saturation behavior in these films, as opposed to the PVA-based materials, where no such impact was seen. The material system could be a low-cost, low-maintenance alternative for future mesoscale sensing and light-emitting device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) region is attractive for spectroscopy because this range has molecular fingerprint information. Existing FTIR‐based systems are limited by their complex optical systems, highlighting the ongoing necessity to advance miniaturization and simplify these systems. Here, a compact mid‐IR spectroscopy is introduced in the mid‐IR range, utilizing a continuously variable mid‐IR filter. This filter is made from Germanium (Ge) and BaF2 and is produced using physical vapor deposition. Continuously varying wavelengths of mid‐IR light are transmitted from different areas of the filter. These different wavelengths of light enter each pixel of the microbolometer array. Calibration is conducted using a sample material to match each pixel of the microbolometer array to its corresponding wavelength. Additionally, a deconvolution algorithm is applied to sharpen the acquired spectrum. This results in acquisition of high signal‐to‐noise ratio mid‐IR spectra in the LWIR region. Using this technology, mid‐IR spectroscopy for several types of samples like polymer film, and gas molecules is possible. In addition, by adopting total internal reflection, it is possible to measure non‐uniform thickness samples, such as liquid droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a method that can be used to produce ruthenium/ruthenium oxide patterns starting from a ruthenium thin film. The method is based on highly localized oxidation of a small surface area of a ruthenium film by means of exposure to a pulsed laser under ambient conditions. Laser exposure is followed by dissolution of the un-exposed ruthenium in a NaClO solution, which leaves the conductive, partially oxidized ruthenium area on the substrate. Spatially selective oxidation, material removal, and, by implication, patterning, are, therefore, achieved without the need for a photoresist layer. Varying the exposure laser parameters, such as fluence, focus diameter, and repetition rate, allows us to optimize the process. In particular, it enables us to obtain circular Ru/RuO2 islands with a sub-diffraction-limited diameter of about 500 nm, for laser exposure times as short as 50 ms. The capability to obtain such small islands suggests that heat-diffusion is not a limiting factor to pattern Ru by laser heating on a (sub-)micron scale. In fact, heat diffusion helps in that it limits the area where a sufficiently high temperature is reached and maintained for a sufficiently long time for oxidation to occur. Our method provides an easy way to produce metallic Ru/RuO2 (sub-)micron structures and has possible applications in semiconductor manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional optical microscopes are only able to resolve objects down to a size of approximately 200 nm due to optical diffraction limits. The rapid development of nanotechnology has increased the demand for greater imaging resolution, with a need to break through those diffraction limits. Among super-resolution techniques, microsphere imaging has emerged as a strong contender, offering low cost, simple operation, and high resolution, especially in the fields of nanodevices, biomedicine, and semiconductors. However, this technology is still in its infancy, with an inadequate understanding of the underlying principles and the technology's limited field of view. This paper comprehensively summarizes the status of current research, the advantages and disadvantages of the basic principles and methods of microsphere imaging, the materials and preparation processes, microsphere manipulation methods, and applications. The paper also summarizes future development trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conjugated fused ring system of chalcone with D-A-π-A and A-A-π-D framing has been the subject of a detailed study on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The strong donors (Anthracene and Pyrene), strong acceptors (cyano), and large extended conjugation are in charge for the higher third order susceptibility in order of (10−6 esu) and show good optical limiting behavior with a lower optical limiting threshold which is determined by Z-scan analysis. Computational studies reveal that the higher values of dipole moments, polarizability and second hyperpolarizability values provided evidence that the proposed compounds are suitable as an efficient NLO material. The band gap energy generated from the FMOs was shown to be decreasing while μ increased, which is an indication of ICT occurring within molecules. Natural bond orbital (NBO) studies the different ICT interactions occurring and demonstrated a significant push-pull action for both compounds, with donor (pyrene and anthracene) and negative values for acceptors. The study of single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows the packing arrangements positioned side by side enhance the intermolecular charge transfer between the donor and the acceptor group of the molecules. Based on our experimental and theoretical findings, we can conclude that the studied compounds exhibit potential in NLO applications such as optical limiting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invention discloses a preparation method for nickel (II) nitrate hexahydrate boric acid and the growth of single crystals by the slow evaporation solution growth technique. Single crystal x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows N2NHB crystallize in triclinic P crystal system with lattice parameters of a = 6.61 Å, b = 7.05 Å, c = 7.07 Å, α = 119.61°, β = 92.25°, γ = 101.11° and volume = 278 Å3. The chemical composition and the corresponding functional groups of the grown crystal have been identified by EDAX and FTIR analyses. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictograph indicated that the particles were closely spherical in shape with slight agglomeration. UV–Visible studies shows N2NHB crystal exhibit lower cut-off wavelength of 314 nm, wide optical window (320 – 800 nm) and wide band gap of 4.16 eV. According to the fluorescence spectrum, the emission occurs at a wavelength of 533 nm. Different temperatures were used to study the Grown crystalc dielectric behaviour. A positive photocurrent is found in the Grown crystal, as shown by the photoconductivity analysis. The second harmonic generation (SHG) capability was demonstrated by the standard Kurtz and Perry powder method. Open aperture Z-scan technique reveals that the material exhibits two-photon absorption phenomenon with nonlinear absorption coefficient of 0.75 × 10−11 m/W. The material displays optical limiting behaviour with an onset limiting threshold of 4.72 × 1012 W/m2. Altogether the grown N2NHB crystal can be utilized wide variety of optoelectronic applications of which optical limiting activity for laser safety devices is notable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colour centres in silicon carbide emerge as a promising semiconductor quantum technology platform with excellent spin-optical coherences. However, recent efforts towards maximising the photonic efficiency via integration into nanophotonic structures proved to be challenging due to reduced spectral stabilities. Here, we provide a large-scale systematic investigation on silicon vacancy centres in thin silicon carbide membranes with thicknesses down to 0.25 μm. Our membrane fabrication process involves a combination of chemical mechanical polishing, reactive ion etching, and subsequent annealing. This leads to highly reproducible membranes with roughness values of 3–4 Å, as well as negligible surface fluorescence. We find that silicon vacancy centres show close-to lifetime limited optical linewidths with almost no signs of spectral wandering down to membrane thicknesses of ~0.7 μm. For silicon vacancy centres in thinner membranes down to 0.25 μm, we observe spectral wandering, however, optical linewidths remain below 200 MHz, which is compatible with spin-selective excitation schemes. Our work clearly shows that silicon vacancy centres can be integrated into sub-micron silicon carbide membranes, which opens the avenue towards obtaining the necessary improvements in photon extraction efficiency based on nanophotonic structuring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making oppositely charged metal‐organic cages (MOCs) into a tightly ordered structure may bring interesting functions. Herein, we report a novel structure composed of anionic (Zr4L6)8− (L=embonate) tetrahedral cages and in situ‐formed cationic [Zn4(Bim)4]4+ (Bim=[BH(im)3]−; im=imidazole) cubic cages. Chiral transfer is observed from enantiopure (Zr4L6)8− cage to enantiopure [Zn4(Bim)4]4+ cage. A pair of enantiomers (PTC‐373(Δ) and PTC‐373(Λ)) are formed. PTC‐373 exhibits high chemical and thermal stabilities, affording an interesting single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation. More importantly, the combination of ionic pair cages significantly enhances its third‐order nonlinear optical property, and its thin‐film exhibits an excellent optical limiting effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although laser technology brings convenience to production and daily life, it also causes high-energy damage. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop optical limiting materials for laser protection. In this study, a novel nonlinear optical material, red/black phosphorus lateral heterojunction, is successfully prepared through solvothermal and ultrasonic treatment. Using the Z−scan method, the nonlinear optical properties of the red/black phosphorus heterojunction are determined at wavelengths of 532 and 1064 nm. These results indicate that the red/black phosphorus heterojunction exhibits reverse saturable absorption properties in 1.2.3-glycerol. Interestingly, the red/black phosphorus heterojunction shows an enhanced performance over red phosphorus by introducing the black phosphorus phase. Moreover, the red/black phosphorus heterojunction is doped into organically modified silicate gel glass with excellent broadband optical limiting performance. This study highlights the promising prospect of the red/black phosphorus heterojunction in the nonlinear optical and optical limiting fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the wide application of intense lasers, the protection of human eyes and detectors from laser damage is becoming more and more strict. In this paper, we study the nonlinear optical limiting (OL) properties of porous carbon with a super large specific surface area (2.9 × 103 m2/g) using the nanosecond Z-scan technique. Compared to the traditional OL material C60, the porous carbon material shows an excellent broadband limiting effect, and the limiting thresholds correspond to 0.11 J/cm2 for 532 nm and 0.25 J/cm2 for 1064 nm pulses, respectively. The nonlinear scattering experiments showed that the OL behavior was mainly attributed to the nonlinear scattering effect, which is caused by the rapid growth and expansion of bubbles in the dispersion induced by laser irradiation, and the scattered light distribution is consistent with the results of Mie's scattering. These results suggest that porous carbon materials are expected to be applied to the field of laser protection in the future to further protect the human eye and precision optical instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal–liquid–glass, which combines the tunable properties of crystalline compounds with the processability of glasses, has emerged as a new class of materials for fabricating bulk‐shapable devices in real applications. Inspired by the characteristics of deep eutectic solvent (DES) mixtures involving significant depressions in melting points compared to their neat constituent components, in this study, we designed and synthesized the first examples of meltable aluminum oxo clusters (AlOCs) via lattice doping with DESs at the molecular level. The abundant and strong hydrogen bonding between the aluminum molecular ring, DES components, and lattice solvents is postulated to be the root that affords melting point depressions and, thus, "melting" clusters. We prepared a transparent bubble‐free glass film under autogenous pressure using a hot‐press method. These cluster‐based films exhibited luminescent and nonlinear optical properties similar to those of pristine crystalline compounds. Our study belongs to the interdisciplinary disciplines of chemistry and physics. It not only breaks the limitations of crystalline glass on metal and ligand types but also acts as a general guide for extending the range of meltable crystalline materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles-filled electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers were investigated systematically at various nanofiller weight percentages (8 and 10 wt%) and input intensities to reveal the effective optical limiting feature in the visible spectrum. XRD analysis demonstrated the purity of the produced V2O5 nanoparticles. According to SEM findings, V2O5 nanoparticles were effectively integrated into the PVP nanofibers. Two distinct absorption bands were observed at around 400 and 217 nm. These bands were related to PVP and V2O5 nanoparticles in linear absorption measurements, respectively. Moreover, an increased Urbach energy value was obtained with an increase in V2O5 nanofiller content within PVP. Open-aperture Z-scan measurements were taken at 532 nm considering the band gap energy of the V2O5 nanofillers in PVP composite nanofibers. In 8 wt% V2O5 nanofilled PVP nanofibers, one-photon absorption (OPA) was the main nonlinear absorption (NA) mechanism, and the defect states of the V2O5 nanoparticles had no contribution to NA. On the other hand, sequential two-photon absorption was the main NA mechanism, and the defect states of the nanoparticles caused more efficient NA behavior in 10 wt% V2O5 nanofilled PVP nanofibers. The effective optical limiting behavior was obtained for this composite nanofiber with lower limiting threshold as 1.49 × 10–5 J/cm2. The V2O5 nanofilled PVP nanofibers presented strong potential optical limiters in the visible wavelength region. This was attributed to their high linear transmittance at low input intensities and their robust NA behavior at higher input intensities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a mounting demand for nonlinear optical materials with superior optical limiting performance which has a noticeable impact on protecting the delicate optical components from laser-induced damage. Transition metal molybdates have garnered attention in the nonlinear optics field due to their outstanding optical and luminescent properties, which give rise to widespread applications in next-generation optoelectronics devices. The structural confirmation of the as prepared silver molybdate nanoparticles were made by XRD and Raman spectroscopy analysis. The linear optical properties and the band gap of the synthesized material were studied using UV–Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy. SEM analysis revealed the pebble like morphology of the silver molybdate nanostructures. The nonlinear responses of the samples were studied using open aperture z-scan approach with Nd:YAG pulsed laser (532 nm, 9 ns, 10 Hz). The sample exhibits reverse saturable absorption pattern attributed to the two photon absorption (2PA) mechanism. The obtained OL threshold value is in the order of 1012 which is suitable for fabricating optical limiters in nano second pulsed laser regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoacoustic imaging is a novel biomedical imaging modality that has emerged over the recent decades. Due to the conversion of optical energy into the acoustic wave, photoacoustic imaging offers high-resolution imaging in depth beyond the optical diffusion limit. Photoacoustic imaging is frequently used in conjunction with ultrasound as a hybrid modality. The combination enables the acquisition of both optical and acoustic contrasts of tissue, providing functional, structural, molecular, and vascular information within the same field of view. In this review, we first described the principles of various photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging techniques and then classified the dual-modal imaging systems based on their preclinical and clinical imaging applications. The advantages of dual-modal imaging were thoroughly analyzed. Finally, the review ends with a critical discussion of existing developments and a look toward the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the properties of an 'almost' dark cloud of neutral hydrogen (H  i) using data from the Widefield ASKAP L-band Legacy All-sky Survey (WALLABY). Until recently, WALLABY J103508 − 283427 (also known as H1032 − 2819 or LEDA 2793457) was not known to have an optical counterpart, but we have identified an extremely faint optical counterpart in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Survey Data Release 10. We measured the mean g -band surface brightness to be 27.0 ± 0.3 mag arcsec−2. The WALLABY data revealed the cloud to be closely associated with the interacting group Klemola 13 (also known as HIPASS J1034 − 28 and the Tol 9 group), which itself is associated with the Hydra cluster. In addition to WALLABY J103508 − 283427/H1032 − 2819, Klemola 13 contains 10 known significant galaxies and almost half of the total H  i gas is beyond the optical limits of the galaxies. By combining the new WALLABY data with archival data from the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we investigate the H  i distribution and kinematics of the system. We discuss the relative role of tidal interactions and ram pressure stripping in the formation of the cloud and the evolution of the system. The ease of detection of this cloud and intragroup gas is due to the sensitivity, resolution, and wide field of view of WALLABY, and showcases the potential of the full WALLABY survey to detect many more examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subsurface defects (SSD) of optical elements have a significant impact on the service life and laser damage threshold of the inertial confinement nuclear fusion optical system. Due to the optical diffraction limit, fluorescence microscopy has limited image resolution for detecting SSD in optical elements, making it challenging to meet the requirements for precision detection. A super-resolution method is proposed in this paper for detecting SSD in optical elements based on the fluorescence polarization characteristics of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots fluorescence dichroism. By enhancing the imaging sparsity of adjacent fluorophores through a polarization modulated excitation laser and utilizing the fluorescence polarization modulation algorithm, the resolution is achieved beyond the optical diffraction limit. The results demonstrate that the proposed method in this paper can obtain super-resolution images of SSD in optical elements with at least a two-fold increase in lateral resolution. This approach effectively improves detection accuracy for SSD and holds significant guiding significance. In addition, it also has application value for assessing the quality of high-precision optical elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the nonlinear optical response of Pb2+-doped ZnMoO4 nanostructures synthesized by chemical precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy results confirm the formation of ZnMoO4 nanostructures with a triclinic structure. High-Resolution Transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) reveals the deformed spherical shape of nanostructures. Further, the successful doping and molecular bonding of Pb2+ with ZnMoO4 was evidenced by FTIR and XPS. UV–Vis absorption spectra reveals the alteration in the electronic band structure of ZnMoO4 nanostructures upon Pb doping, leading to a considerable increase in bandgap and enhanced charge transfer within ZnMoO4: Pb nanostructure. The nonlinear optical absorption and optical limiting characteristics of the nanoparticles is measured via the open aperture Z-scan technique with an Nd: YAG pulsed laser at 532 nm, exhibiting a reverse saturable absorption and a rapid decrease in the commencement of the optical limiting threshold with the increased in Pb concentration. The observed nonlinear absorption can be attributed to the crystal structure, particle size, creation of oxygen vacancies, and defects on the host lattice. These results suggest that Pb2+-doped ZnMoO4 nanoparticles have excellent prospects for optical limiting (OL) applications. This could be useful for applications such as laser protection and optoelectronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) is the phenomenon of synchronous light emission due to the violent collapse of a single spherical bubble in a liquid, driven by an ultrasonic field. During the bubble collapse, matter inside the bubble reaches extreme conditions of several gigapascals and temperatures on the order of 10000 K, leading to picosecond flashes of visible light. To this day, details regarding the energy focusing mechanism rely on simulations due to the fast dynamics of the bubble collapse and spatial scales below the optical resolution limit. In this work we present phase-contrast holographic imaging with single x-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) pulses of a SBSL cavitation bubble in water. X-rays probe the electron density structure and by that provide a uniquely new view on the bubble interior and its collapse dynamics. The involved fast time-scales are accessed by sub-100 fs XFEL pulses and a custom synchronization scheme for the bubble oscillator. We find that during the whole oscillation cycle the bubble's density profile can be well described by a simple step-like structure, with the radius R following the dynamics of the Gilmore model. The quantitatively measured internal density and width of the boundary layer exhibit a large variance. Smallest reconstructed bubble sizes reach down to R ≃ 0.8 μ m , and are consistent with spherical symmetry. While we here achieved a spatial resolution of a few 100 nm, the visibility of the bubble and its internal structure is limited by the total x-ray phase shift which can be scaled with experimental parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

V2O5 and 1 mol% RE-doped V2O5 (RE = La, Er, Yb) thin films were prepared using the sol–gel method. The structure and morphology of the prepared films were investigated using XRD, HRTEM, SAD electron microscopy, FESEM, and EDS. XRD analysis revealed a strong c-axis orientation and noncrystalline structure. Gaussian fitting of the XRD peaks indicates a decrease in the crystallite size with RE doping, which is attributed to the increased internal stress and lattice distortion. TC analysis showed a preferred orientation along the c-axis. HRTEM observations confirmed the crystallinity of the nanosheets. The absorption, transmittance, and reflectance spectra were measured for normal-incidence light in the wavelength range 190–1100 nm. The obtained spectra were used to investigate the linear and non-linear optical properties via various optical parameters, including static refractive index, optical band gap energy, Urbach band tail energy, dispersion energy parameters using the Wemple and DiDomenico (WDD) single-oscillator model, nonlinear refractive index and first and third optical susceptibilities. The doped films exhibited lower optical bandgaps and the investigated linear and nonlinear optical parameters showed significant effects in RE-doped films compared to pure V2O5, indicating potential for various optical applications. The optical limiting of the prepared films was studied using two laser sources (650 nm and 533 nm), revealing significant optical limiting for RE-doped films compared with pure V2O5 films, where the optical limiting effect is related to the oscillator strength and Urbach band tail energy. This study shows that rare-earth doping has a significant impact on the structural and optical properties of V2O5 thin films, making them promising materials for various applications, such as optoelectronic devices and nonlinear optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sonochemical synthesis, structural analysis, theoretical calculations, and the nonlinear optical (NLO) discovery of benzylidenehydrazono thiazolidin-4-one derivative 8, that is, (Z)-ethyl-2-((Z)-2-((E)-(4-chlorobenzylidene)hydrazono)-4-oxo-3-phenylthiazolidin-5-ylidene) acetate (C20H16ClN3O3S), are detailed. The 1H and 13C NMR data, melting point (m.p), infrared spectrum (IR), mass spectrum, and UV–visible spectrum measurements are used to confirm the authenticity of the synthesized derivative 8. The geometrical structural optimizations and theoretical properties of the synthesized compound are performed using density functional theory (DFT). The NLO properties of the synthesized derivative 8 are studied under continuous wave (cw) 473-nm laser beam via conducting the closed (C)- and open (O)-aperture (A) Z-scan techniques where the nonlinear refractive index (NLRI) and the nonlinear absorption coefficient (NLAC) are obtained, viz. 1.79 × 10−7 cm2/W and 2.72 × 10−3 cm/W, respectively, and an optical limiting (OLg) threshold of 13 mW is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most laser applications are based on the focusing of a Gaussian laser beam (GLB). When the latter is subject to a phase aberration such as the optical Kerr effect (OKE) or spherical aberration (SA), it is recognised that the focusing performance of the GLB is degraded. In this paper, it is demonstrated that high-order radial Laguerre–Gauss LGp0 beams are more resilient than the GLB when subject to the OKE or SA. This opens up opportunities to replace with advantages the usual GLB with a high-order LGp0 beam for some applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overlay refers to controlling the vertical alignment and misalignment between circuit patterns manufactured in the previous process and circuit patterns manufactured in the current process during the stacking process of circuit patterns in the semiconductor manufacturing process. A critical factor in ensuring precise overlay measurements is using an optimized overlay mark design. Many semiconductor manufacturers have put considerable effort into optimizing overlay measurement marks to reduce high costs. However, image-based overlay measurement encounters several challenges, including resolution degradation, image distortion, and noise introduction during digital data conversion. These issues can amplify the uncertainty of overlay measurements, impair optical resolution, and heighten the risk of mismeasurement. In this paper, we introduce irregular grating patterns designed to address the principal challenges faced by the commonly utilized Advanced Imaging Metrology (AIM) marks, namely large overlays and image distortion. Furthermore, we propose an overlay mark capable of precisely identifying overlays exceeding half a pitch and incorporating as much data as possible within the limits of optical resolution. This aims to improve overlay measurement performance. The experimental findings demonstrate that the proposed Pulsated Grating Target (PGT) mark enhances overall measurement uncertainty by approximately 17% compared to the AIM mark. The practical applicability of the PGT was validated through experiments, and we achieved enhanced precision and reliability in overlay measurements by resolving the issue of large overlays--the most significant challenge with grating patterns--and simultaneously enhancing mark performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the number of read/write layers and ensuring the quality of read/write signals are the key factors to enhance the optical storage capacity. However, limited by the single optical path, the structure, and the material of the disk, the existing system reads and writes up to 16 layers. In the existing optical storage system design, the optical path design and the signal model are independent of each other, so the signal quality based on the signal model can only be evaluated after the implementation of the optical path. We propose a dual-beam read/write optical path for the optical storage system, which breaks through the limitation of the single optical path and can read/write multilayers. The servo detection signals and servo margins show that the dual-beam read/write system has good error detection capability and strong robustness. The servo error signal is calculated according to the relationship between the wavefront aberration, relative coordinate system displacement difference, and servo error of the optical system, thus deriving a quantifiable signal evaluation model. The effectiveness of the model is verified by experiments. The signal evaluation model breaks through the limitations of the traditional optical design method for the optical storage system and can guide the optical design from the signal perspective. The dual-beam optical path for multilayer optical storage systems provides a broader range of ideas for enhancing optical storage capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupling and spatial localization of energy on ultrafast timescales and particularly on the timescale of the excitation pulse in ultrashort laser irradiated dielectric materials are key elements for enabling processing precision beyond the optical limit. Transforming matter on mesoscopic scales facilitates the definition of nanoscale photonic functions in optical glasses. On these timescales, quantum interactions induced by charge non-equilibrium become the main channel for energy uptake and transfer as well as for the material structural change. We apply a first-principles model to determine dynamic distortions of energy bands following the rapid increase in the free-carrier population in an amorphous dielectric excited by an ultrashort laser pulse. Fused silica glass is reproduced using a system of (SiO4)4− tetrahedra, where density functional theory extended to finite-temperature fractional occupation reproduces ground and photoexcited states. Triggered by electronic charge redistribution, a bandgap narrowing of more than 2 eV is shown to occur in fused silica under geometry relaxation. Calculations reveal that the bandgap decrease results from the rearrangement of atoms altering the bonding strength. Despite an atomic movement impacting strongly the structural stability, the observed change of geometry remains limited to 7% of the interatomic distance and occurs on the femtosecond timescale. This structural relaxation is thus expected to take place quasi-instantly following the photon energy flux. Moreover, under intense laser pulse excitation, fused silica loses its stability when an electron temperature of around 2.8 eV is reached. A further increase in the excitation energy leads to the collapse of both the structure and bandgap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinear properties and photophysical dynamics of aluminum and zinc tetracarboxy-phthalocyanines (AlPc and ZnPc) were studied using pulse trains of a 532 nm wavelength, which contain 25 subpulses with a 100 ps width and 13 ns spacing. Considering its interaction with long-duration pulses, the energy structure of phthalocyanine could be substituted by a five-level pattern. The nonlinear transmissions of pulse trains in AlPc and ZnPc were simulated by means of equations about the population rate coupled with the paraxial field equation of two-dimensional space. The well-known Crank–Nicholson numerical method was applied to the theoretical simulation. The results demonstrate that both phthalocyanines are efficient as optical limiters. In its low-intensity region, AlPc shows a much better OL effect than ZnPc. But in the region with high intensity, their energy transmittances are nearly the same. The nonlinear transmission of a pulse is susceptible to the state lifetime and cross section of one-photon absorption. Tetracarboxy-phthalocyanines have advantageous photophysical properties for applications in nonlinear optical areas, such as nonlinear optical devices like optical limiters. Adding central metals such as Al and Zn to phthalocyanines could enhance their photodynamic properties, making them potential optical limiters and photosensitizers.

The nonlinear optical limiting (OL) property of tin phthalocyanine porous organic frameworks (Sn-Pc-POFs) dispersion in the nanosecond regime was studied, which showed excellent dispersibility and stability as well as a low OL threshold. To clarify the nonlinear optical response mechanisms in the material, the energy level structure of Sn-Pc-POFs was simulated using the density functional theory calculation, and the photoinduced carrier dynamics was studied using femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. The results indicated that the large absorption cross section and long lifetime of the excited state were responsible for the excellent OL property of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]