Synthesis, characterization and third-order nonlinear optical properties of symmetrical ferrocenyl Schiff base materials

Abstract

Six symmetrical ferrocenyl Schiff base materials were synthesized and characterized by UV, 1H NMR, mass spectrometry (MS) and elemental analysis. Their off-resonant third-order nonlinear optical properties were measured using femtosecond laser and degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) technique. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities χ(3) were 1.961–6.363×10−13esu. The nonlinear refractive indexes n2 were 3.609–11.716×10−12esu. The second-order hyperpolarizabilities γ of these molecules were 1.967–6.388×10−31esu. The response time were 45.759–73.079fs. The results indicate that these materials have potential nonlinear optical applications.