Synthesis, two- and three-photon absorption, and optical limiting properties of fluorene-containing ferrocene derivatives

The synthesis and characterization of two novel fluorene-containing ferrocene derivatives were reported. The two-photon absorption spectra and three-photon absorption cross-section values in the IR region for these two chromophores were studied. Together with their thermal stabilities, their linear absorption and emission properties were also investigated. The results show that the ferrocene derivatives have large two-photon and three-photon absorption in IR region as well as excellent thermal stabilities. The three-photon absorption based optical limiting properties of these two ferrocene derivatives were investigated by using sub-picosecond IR laser pulses.