title: Characterization of the nonlinear optical properties of nanocrystals by Hyper Rayleigh Scattering.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Harmonic Nanoparticles are a new family of exogenous markers for multiphoton imaging exerting optical contrast by second harmonic (SH) generation. In this tutorial, we present the application of Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) for a quantitative assessment of the nonlinear optical properties of these particles and discuss the underlying theory and some crucial experimental aspects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The second harmonic properties of BaTiO3, KNbO3, KiTiOPO4 (KTP), LiNbO3 and ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) are investigated by HRS measurements after careful preparation and characterization of colloidal suspensions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A detailed analysis of the experimental results is presented with emphasis on the theoretical background and on the influence of some experimental parameters including the accurate determination of the nanocrystal size and concentration. The SH generation efficiency and averaged nonlinear optical coefficients are then derived and compared for six different types of NCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After preparation of colloidal NC suspensions and careful examination of their size, concentration and possible aggregation state, HRS appears as a valuable tool to quantitatively assess the SH efficiency of noncentrosymmetric NCs. All the investigated nanomaterials show high SH conversion efficiencies, demonstrating a good potential for bio-labelling applications.
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Joulaud
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mugnier
authors.forename: Gnon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Djanta
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dubled
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Marty
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galez
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonacina
authors.forename: Ronan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Le Dantec
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009556:Niobium / Q000737:chemistry; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D009556:Niobium; C091692:lithium niobate; D015034:Zinc Oxide