Abstract: A new organic dye trans-4- [p-(N,N-diethylamino) styryl]-N-methylpyridinium iodide (abbreviated' as DEASPI thereafter) with large two-photon absorption (TPA) cross section and excellent upconverted lasing properties was synthesized. The melting point and decompound point were measured to be 230 degreesC and 264.7 degreesC respectively. The molecular TPA cross section was measured to be sigma (2)=6.9x10(-48) cm(4).s/photon at 1064 nm by using an open aperture Z-scan system. The linear and nonlinear optical properties of this dye were systematically studied. The highest net upconversion efficiency from the absorbed pump energy to the output upconverted lasing energy is as high as 18.6% at the pump energy of 2.17 mJ from a mode-locked Nd:YAG ps laser. The nonlinear transmittance at the wavelengths from 720 to 1100 nm was measured. The dye solution also shows a clear optical power limiting effect.

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