Nonlinear Optical Refraction and Absorption Features of Methyl Orange Dye in Polar Solvents.

Herein, we report the nonlinear optical (NLO) refraction and absorption features of azo dye namely, methyl orange (MO) dissolved in ethanol, methanol, acetone, 1-propanol, DMF and DMSO. The UV-Visible absorption study reveals that the maximum absorption spectrum of MO dye appeared towards longer wavelength by increasing the solvent polarizability is the result of red shift or bathochromic shift. The Z-scan method is utilized to measure the third-order NLO features of MO dye in different polar solvents. A continuous wave laser with 5-mW power and an excitation wavelength of 405 nm is employed in the Z-scan technique. The NLO features including nonlinear index of refraction (n), nonlinear coefficient of absorption (β) and third-order NLO susceptibility (χ) are calculated to be the order of 10 cm/W, 10 cm/W and 10 esu, respectively. The NLO index of refraction shows peak-valley transmittance is the result of self-defocusing and NLO absorption coefficient exhibits both positive and negative nonlinearity owing to saturable absorption (SA) and reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The effect of solvent polarizability and dipole moment on third-order NLO susceptibility of MO dye is discussed. Based on the experimental results, an azo dye MO appears to be a promising option for NLO applications in the future.