Technological advances brighten horizons for organic nonlinear optics

The technological advances in organic nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, including materials with exceptional electro-optic, two-photon-absorption, and third-harmonic generation (THG) properties having supramolecular assemblies, are discussed. These assemblies are prepared using chromophoric building blocks with optimized molecular properties. The nonlinear optical materials are used in electro-optic (EO) modulators with low operating voltage and low insertion loss, in ultrashort-pulse diagnostic applications, and in imaging applications. The THG signals helps to demonstrate interferometric autocorrelation for the characterization of short pulses with a standard nonamplified silicon detector, and frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) with a portable fiber spectrometer. These new materials also enables the demonstration of real-time, time-gated, direct imaging through scattering media using THG in the eye-safe and telecommunication compatible near-infrared spectral region.