Plasmonic Bipyramidal Au Nanoparticles Enhance Near-Infrared Nonlinear Absorption of Dyes Confined in Sol-Gel Materials: Implications for the Safe Utilization of Lasers

Increasing use of lasers in many different fields, from ultraviolet to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths, requires the development of efficient broadband optical protections to ensure safety during their utilizations. Among the available technologies, nonlinear optical limiting appears as the most versatile and efficient one. Earlier research has focused on optical limiting materials for visible wavelengths. NIR wavelengths used in telecommunication or optical sensors such as for autonomous vehicles represent a highly challenging area with very few reports in particular in the solid state. This work discusses the preparation of efficient NIR optical filters combining azabodipy dyes with plasmonic nanoparticles in sol-gel monoliths. This strategy allows us to strongly enhance the nonlinear performance of the dyes, creating a synergy effect never observed on such a system in the NIR region.

Automated summary

The use of lasers in various fields requires efficient optical protections for safety. Nonlinear optical limiting is considered the most versatile and efficient technology. This research focuses on the development of efficient NIR optical filters using azabodipy dyes and plasmonic nanoparticles in sol-gel monoliths.