Efficient Tuning of the Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of Some Functionalized Boron-Dipyrromethene Dyes

In the present work, the third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) response of some recently synthesized, functionally substituted Boron-Dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives is studied, and their nonlinear optical properties are investigated using the Z-scan technique, employing 4 ns, visible (532 nm) and near-infrared (1064 nm) laser excitation. The present findings demonstrate the importance of functionalization of the BODIPY core and the versatility it offers for the modification of the photophysical properties of these chromophores, allowing for the very efficient tuning of both the magnitude and the sign of the nonlinear absorption and refraction of the BODIPYs, making them very promising materials for several optoelectronic applications. The obtained results are discussed and compared with the results of other similar BODIPYs reported in the literature.