1. BiFeO3 nanocrystals for bio-imaging based on nonlinear optical harmonic generation
- Author
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Schwung, Sebastian, Rogov, Andrii, Clarke, Gareth, Joulaud, Cécile, Magouroux, Thibaud, Staedler, Davide, Passemard, Solène, Jüstel, Thomas, Badie, Laurent, Galez, Christine, Wolf, Jean Pierre, Volkov, Yuri, Prina-Mello, Adriele, Gerber-Lemaire, Sandrine, Rytz, Daniel, Mugnier, Yannick, Bonacina, Luigi, and Dantec, Ronan Le
- Subjects
Physics - Optics ,Condensed Matter - Materials Science - Abstract
Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) from BiFeO3 nanocrystals is investigated for the first time to determine their potential as biomarkers for multiphoton imaging. Nanocrystals are produced by an auto-combustion method with TRIS as a fuel. Stable colloidal suspensions with mean particle diameters in the range 100-120 nm are then obtained after wet-milling and sonication steps. SHG properties are determined using two complementary experimental techniques, Hyper Rayleigh Scattering and nonlinear polarization microscopy. BiFeO3 shows a very high second harmonic efficiency with an averaged
coefficient of 79+-12 pm/V. From the nonlinear polarization response of individual nanocrystals, relative values of the independent dij coefficients are also determined and compared with recent theoretical and experimental studies. Additionally, the particles show a moderate magnetic response, which is attributed to gamma-Fe2O3 impurities. A combination of high nonlinear optical efficiency and magnetic response within the same particle is of great interest for future bio-imaging and diagnostic applications. - Published
- 2014