Synthesis, characterization and third-order nonlinear optical studies of copper complexes containing 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione and triphenylphosphine ligands

Abstract This research article describes the synthesis, characterization and third-order nonlinear optical studies of copper(I) complexes [Cu(Br)(N,N′-C 12 H 6 N 2 O 2 )(PPh 3 )] and [Cu(I)(N,N′-C 12 H 6 N 2 O 2 )(PPh 3 )] abbreviated as [CuBrLPPh 3 ] (1) and [CuILPPh 3 ] (2) (L = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione). Nonlinear optical properties of the complexes are investigated at 532 nm using single beam Z-scan and degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) techniques employing nanosecond laser pulses. The complexes show optical limiting behaviour due to “effective” two-photon absorption. The values of the effective two-photon absorption (2PA) coefficients ( β ), third-order nonlinear susceptibilities ( χ (3) ), and figures of merit ( F ), are calculated.