Reverse saturation absorption spectra and optical limiting properties of chlorinated tetrasubstituted phthalocyanines containing different metals

A highly non-aggregated series of peripherally tetra(2,6-diisopropylphenoxy) substituted phthalocyanines (Pcs) containing different metals (Al, Ga, In and Zn) were prepared and their nonlinear optical properties (NLO), including the optical limiting behavior were investigated. This study explores the effect of the implanted metals along with the peripheral chlorine atoms on the NLO of the prepared complexes, thereby improving their optical limiting performance. The best wavelength at which the Pc complex exhibits the strongest nonlinear effect was determined over the low absorption window region (420–590 nm) comprised between the Q and B bands using a nanosecond pulsed laser with the aid of a Z-scan technique. The excited state absorption cross sections (σeff) have been found to be wavelength dependent with common double peaks at 505 nm and around 485 nm and the highest value was calculated for Pc1–In (1.1 × 10−16 cm2). The figure of merit spectra show different spectral structure when compared to the excited state absorption spectra and the largest figure of merit value was found to be around 107 for Pc1–In derivative. In full agreement with reverse saturation results, the optical limiting measurements, carried out at 485 nm and 532 nm for each derivative, show very low optical limiting thresholds at the former wavelength. In the continuous wave excitation regime, the Z-scan measurements, which were carried out at 632.8 and 532 nm, showed strong refractive and absorptive nonlinear effects.

► Nonlinear properties of five phthalocyanine derivatives were studied with Z-Scan.
► ESA cross section and the figure of merit measured from 420 to 590 nm.
► The five samples have common large figure of merit peaks at 485 nm and 505 nm.
► Optical limiting measurements show very low thresholds at 485 nm.
► Pc1–In with its heavy metal atoms exhibits the most remarkable results.