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Investigation of the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Silk Fibroin (SF) Using the Z-Scan Method
Georgi Yankov1, Victoria Atanassova1, Stefan Karatodorov1
1Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 72 Tsarigradsko Chausse, Blvd., 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 13, 2025
Summary
Silk fibroin (SF) exhibits excellent nonlinear optical properties, including self-defocusing and multiphoton absorption. This versatile biopolymer shows potential for advanced photonic applications due to its optical transparency and sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear Optics
- Materials Science
- Biophotonics
Background:
- Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural protein with desirable optical and sustainable properties.
- Organic nonlinear optical materials are crucial for advanced photonic devices.
- Investigating SF's nonlinear optical behavior can unlock new applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the nonlinear optical properties of silk fibroin thin films.
- To evaluate SF's potential for light frequency conversion and photonic applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the z-scan technique with femtosecond laser pulses (35 fs, 800 nm, 1 kHz).
- Performed optical transmittance measurements, particularly in the deep UV region.
Main Results:
- Observed a strong self-defocusing effect, indicating a negative nonlinear refractive index.
- Demonstrated significant multiphoton absorption, showcasing SF's tunable nonlinear response.
- Confirmed partial transparency in the deep UV, beneficial for second-harmonic generation (SHG).
Conclusions:
- Silk fibroin is a promising organic nonlinear optical material.
- SF's tunable nonlinear response and optical properties support its use in advanced photonic applications.
- This study addresses knowledge gaps in biopolymer-based nonlinear optics.
