Two-photon absorption and fluorescence with quadrupolar and branched chromophores -: effect of structure and branching

The photophysical and two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of three homologous quadrupolar and one related three-branched chromophores were investigated. Design of the quadrupoles is based on the symmetrical functionalization of a biphenyl core. Modulation of the nonlinear absorptivity/transparency/photostability trade-off can be achieved by playing with the twist angle of the core and on the spacers (phenylene-vinylene versus phenylene-ethynylene). The quadrupolar chromophores combine high TPA cross-sections, high fluorescence quantum yield and solvent sensitive photoluminescence properties. The branched structure exhibits spectrally broadened TPA in the NIR region (up to 3660 GM at 740 nm measured in the femtosecond regime) but reduced sensitivity to the environment.