Third-order nonlinear optical response of CuInS2 quantum dots-Bright probes for near-infrared biodetection

Nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption in stoichiometric colloidal CuInS2 quantum dots, with absorption edge tuned up to the visible spectral region, were investigated. The nonlinear optical response of the quantum dots was measured in a wide range of wavelengths (700-1600 nm) using the Z-scan technique. The measurements revealed the presence of two-photon absorption in the near-infrared range and the negative nonlinear refraction in almost whole spectral range for all the investigated nanoparticles. The cubic nonlinearity of CuInS2 quantum dots is discussed in terms of defect-related optical properties of the material. The results indicate that CuInS2 quantum dots may be an interesting material for the single and multiphoton luminescence bio-detection techniques. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.