Effect of Ion Pairs on Nonlinear Optical Properties of Crystal Violet: Surfactants, Nano-droplets, and In Vitro Culture Conditions

Abstract

Crystal violet (CV) has nonlinear optical (NLO) properties that make it suitable for photodynamic therapy. In this respect, Z-scan technique is applied to find the influence of surfactants and nano-droplets on NLO properties of CV. Nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear refractive index can be further determined. The NLO parameters are also enhanced by the increase in anionic surfactant concentrations, while they remain constant with the rise in cationic ones. Moreover, the NLO parameters are extremely improved in dye-doped water droplets prepared with anionic surfactant and a continuous phase of low-polarity oils. It has been demonstrated that the interaction of ion pairs can change linear optical and NLO properties of CV that in turn can change the charge density distribution. To study the behavior of dye during in vitro culture conditions, the effect of cell culture media and fetal bovine serum on NLO properties of CV was examined.