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Solvent-dependent fluorescence dynamics and ultrafast optical nonlinearity in Tectona grandis L.f. leaf extract
C Beryl1, M S Amogh1, Varsha Vijay2
1Ultrafast and Nonlinear Optics Lab, Light and Matter Physics Group, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore 560080, India; School of Pure and Applied Physics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Athirampuzha, Kerala 686560, India.
Summary
Teak leaf extract exhibits tunable nonlinear optical properties, showing potential for photonics applications. Its optical behavior, including nonlinear absorption and refraction, depends significantly on the solvent used.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Materials science
- Biophotonics
Background:
- Natural dye extracts offer sustainable alternatives for advanced material applications.
- Tectona grandis L.f. (teak) leaves contain diverse phytochemicals with potential optical functionalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of teak leaf extracts.
- To explore the influence of solvent polarity on these NLO properties.
- To assess the potential of teak leaf extract as a bio-derived NLO material.
Main Methods:
- Ultrafast Z-scan technique using a femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser.
- UV-visible absorption and FTIR spectroscopy for chemical characterization.
- Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) for excited-state dynamics.
Main Results:
- Teak leaf extracts demonstrated strong nonlinear absorption (reverse saturable absorption) and negative nonlinear refraction (self-defocusing).
- Solvent polarity significantly influenced the NLO response, with aggregation-assisted ESA in carbon tetrachloride and thermally induced effects in polar aprotic solvents.
- Nonlinear absorption coefficients (βeff) ranged from 10⁻⁶-10⁻⁵ m/W, and nonlinear refractive index coefficients (n₂) were of the order of 10⁻¹⁵ m²/W.
Conclusions:
- Teak leaf extract is a versatile, solvent-tunable, bio-derived nonlinear optical material.
- Its tunable properties make it suitable for applications in optical limiting and optical switching.
- This study highlights the potential of natural products in developing advanced photonic materials.
