Nonlinear optics: from theory to applications, with a focus on the use of two-photon absorption in biology
Mélanie Dréano A B , Olivier Mongin
B , Frédéric Paul B * and Mark G. Humphrey A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
B Univ. Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes) - UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes Cedex, France.
* Correspondence to: Frederic.Paul@univ-rennes1.fr, Mark.Humphrey@anu.edu.au
Handling Editor: Deanna D'Alessandro
Australian Journal of Chemistry 76(3) 130-149 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH23015
Submitted: 21 January 2023 Accepted: 29 March 2023 Published: 12 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing.
Abstract
The study of nonlinear optics in the 1960s attracted considerable attention from a theoretical standpoint, engendering many proposals for practical use of these new photonic effects. Among these suggestions, the development of efficient two-photon absorption (2PA) has attracted sustained interest due to its demonstrated (or potential) use in a broad range of applications that include optical data storage, optical limiting and nanofabrication. The use of 2PA in biological applications is particularly appealing. This is because 2PA offers several advantages for bio-oriented applications, such as intrinsic three-dimensional resolution, increased penetration depth in biological materials such as tissue and highly focused excitation at half-energy, leading to a decrease of auto-fluorescence and photodamage. In this Primer Review, we introduce the essential background theory needed for an understanding of the field, we describe the key experiments deployed to quantify material performance, we discuss the evolution of 2PA molecular design, and we summarise the state-of-the-art and the existing challenges in the use of 2PA in imaging, therapy and theranostics.
Keywords: cubic hyperpolarisabilities, dipolar molecules, nonlinear absorption, nonlinear optics, octupolar molecules, quadrupolar molecules, two-photon excitation photodynamic therapy, two-photon fluorescence microscopy.
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