Three-photon absorption in a push–pull type chromophore containing tricyanofuran acceptor

Three-photon absorption (3PA) of a push–pull chromophore, 2-(3-cyano-(3-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-5, 5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene)methyl)-5, 5-dimethylfuran-2-ylidene) malononitrile (CFM) including TCF group was measured by the nonlinear transmission method using a femto-second Ti:Sapphire oscillator-amplifier laser system. Its three-photon absorption cross-sections at 1300 nm were 36.8 × 10−79 cm6 s2 in the solution of DMF and 12.3 × 10−79 cm6 s2 in the solution of CH2Cl2, respectively. The large values were got by experiments in this paper, which is a new exploration for these kinds of materials. The molecule has the potential application foreground of 3PA areas and optical power limiting.