Thiazole based novel functional colorants: Synthesis, characterization and nonlinear optical studies using picosecond Z-scan technique

Organic push–pull chromophoric system containing thiazole Schiff bases were synthesized from aminothiazole intermediate. These novel chromophores possessed excellent thermal and optical properties with complete transparency in the visible spectral region. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that all dyes were thermally stable at temperatures above 300 °C. The third-order nonlinear optical studies, performed using the Z-scan technique with ∼2 ps pulses, revealed excellent three photon absorption coefficients/cross-sections combined with reasonably high values of nonlinear refractive index (n2). The solute n2 was of opposite sign compared to that of solvents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of three-photon absorption studies in Schiff base compounds.

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► Thiazole Schiff bases are proposed as novel functional materials for nonlinear optics.
► All colorants exhibited high thermal stability and no absorption in visible region.
► Z-scan studies revealed excellent three photon absorption (3PA) properties.
► First report of 3PA phenomenon in Schiff base colorants.
► Good values of nonlinear refractive index (n2) and figures of merit (V) obtained.