A molecular theory for two-photon and three-photon fluorescence polarization

Fluorescence Anisotropy Sensor Comprising a Dual Hollow-Core Antiresonant Fiber Polarization Beam Splitter

Fluorescence anisotropy imaging and sensing is a widely recognized method for studying molecular orientation and mobility. However, introducing this technique to in vivo systems is a challenging task, especially when one considers multiphoton excitation methods. Past two decades have brought a possible solution to this issue in the form of hollow-core antiresonant fibers (HC-ARFs). The continuous development of their fabrication technology has resulted in the appearance of more and more sophisticated structures. One of the most promising concepts concerns dual hollow-core antiresonant fibers (DHC-ARFs), which can be used to split and combine optical signals, effectively working as optical fiber couplers. In this paper, the design of a fluorescence anisotropy sensor based on a DHC-ARF structure is presented. The main purpose of the proposed DHC-ARF is multiphoton-excited fluorescence spectroscopy; however, other applications are also possible.

Polarized two-photon photoselection in EGFP: Theory and experiment

In this work, we present a complete theoretical description of the excited state order created by two-photon photoselection from an isotropic ground state; this encompasses both the conventionally measured quadrupolar (K = 2) and the "hidden" degree of hexadecapolar (K = 4) transition dipole alignment, their dependence on the two-photon transition tensor and emission transition dipole moment orientation. Linearly and circularly polarized two-photon absorption (TPA) and time-resolved single- and two-photon fluorescence anisotropy measurements are used to determine the structure of the transition tensor in the deprotonated form of enhanced green fluorescent protein. For excitation wavelengths between 800 nm and 900 nm, TPA is best described by a single element, almost completely diagonal, two-dimensional (planar) transition tensor whose principal axis is collinear to that of the single-photon S₀ → S₁ transition moment. These observations are in accordance with assignments of the near-infrared two-photon absorption band in fluorescent proteins to a vibronically enhanced S₀ → S₁ transition.

Biocompatible aggregation-induced emission nanoparticles with red emission for in vivo three-photon brain vascular imaging

Three-photon luminescence (3PL) imaging with near-infrared (NIR) excitation is quite promising for its deep penetration, high resolution, and good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this report, a type of red emissive fluorophore TPEPT with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties was synthesized, and it was found to possess a large three-photon absorption (3PA) cross-section of 6.33 × 10^-78 cm⁶ s² under 1550 nm femtosecond laser excitation. TPEPT was then encapsulated with mPEG₅₀₀₀-DSPE to form AIE nanoparticles, and the chemical stability, optical properties and toxicity were studied afterwards. TPEPT nanoparticles were then applied for 3PL in vivo vascular imaging of mouse brain under 1550 nm fs laser excitation, and a fine three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction with a depth of 500 μm was achieved.

On the effects of permanent molecular dipoles in the simultaneous absorption of two photons: full generalized rotating wave approximation versus analytical results

The effects of permanent dipoles, and the relative effects of the direct permanent dipole and the virtual state excitation mechanisms, are discussed for excitations involving the simultaneous absorption of two identical photons. Two molecular models for two-photon excitation, one dominated by the direct permanent dipole mechanism and the other having significant contributions from both excitation mechanisms, are used for this purpose. Resonance profiles, as a function of laser intensity, are evaluated for both models by employing the full Generalized Rotating Wave Approximation method and the recently developed Analytic Generalized Rotating Wave Approximation (AGRWA). The profiles are used to assess (1) the nature of the effects of permanent molecular dipoles, (2) the relative contributions of the two excitation mechanisms, and (3) the validity of the AGRWA for two-photon excitations. The AGRWA is a very useful interpretive∕predictive tool even for higher laser intensities where its validity becomes questionable. It can be used to suggest how to exploit the effects of molecular permanent dipoles to enhance two photon excitations using both excitation mechanisms.

Polarization-induced fluorescence modulation in a self-assembled coordination cage-shaped complex

Polarization-induced fluorescence modulation behavior of a self-assembled coordination cage-shaped complex was investigated using femtosecond laser pulses. The variations of the total two-photon-induced fluorescence (TPF) intensity were found to be strongly modulated by different polarized incident lights and tightly dependent on the linearly polarized component of the excited light. The polarization-induced modulation efficiency of the TPF underwent intensity-dependent decrease, which could be attributed to the two-photon-induced excited-state absorption. The nonlinear absorption behavior of the complex was also studied by performing both femtosecond open aperture Z-scan and nonlinear transmission measurements, which help to better understand the intrinsic optical properties of the molecule and portend its practical applications.

Impact of electron acceptor on three-photon absorption cross-section of the fluorene derivatives

Small three-photon absorption (3PA) cross-section values of present nonlinear organic molecules limit their practical applications. Although electron donors and electron acceptors have a great effect on 3PA cross-section, little is known about how the strength and situation of electron acceptors influence the 3PA cross-section value of a compound. The present work reports 3PA effects of two fluorene derivatives with symmetric D-π-π(A)-π-D archetype, which are named as 2,7-bis(4-methoxyphenylacetylene)-9-fluorenone (FATT) and 2,7-bis(4-methoxyphenylacetylene)-9-thoine-fluorene (TSATL). Large 3PA cross-section and ideal 3PA-induced optical limiting effects have been found in the two fluorene derivatives. The two molecules both have a different electron acceptor on the fluorene core, by which the 3PA cross-section value for FATT is enhanced by nearly 3-fold compared with that for TSATL. The mechanism of this significant enhancement in 3PA cross-section has been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and configuration interaction singles (CIS) method with use of 6-311+G basis set in combination with conductor polarizable continuum model (CPCM). The theoretical results show that increase of electronegative character of the electron acceptor on the core is responsible for the increase of 3PA cross-section values of the two molecules.

Three-photon-absorption-induced optical stabilization effects in a bifluorenylidene derivative

A bifluorenylidene derivative with extended π-conjugated system has been designed and successfully synthesized. The compound displays strong three-photon absorption effect. The obtained three-photon absorption cross section is as high as 81.3 × 10(-76) cm(6)s(2). Distinguished 3PA-induced optical limiting and optical stabilization performances have been achieved. The on-axis transmitted intensity approached a constant even though the incident laser pulse fluctuation was 300%.