Strong nonlinear optical response in the visible spectral range with epsilon-near-zero organic thin films

International audienceWe demonstrate an efficient ENZ response in the visible spectral range using organic molecular ultrathin films possessing a Lorentz-type dispersion. For this purpose, two polymethine dyes: sodium [5,6-dichloro-2-[[5,6-dichloro-1-ethyl-3-(4-sulphobutyl)- benzimidazol-2-ylidene]-propenyl]-1-ethyl-3-(4-sulphobutyl)-benzimidazolium hydroxide] (TDBC), and [2,4-bis[8-hydroxy-1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidin-9-yl]squaraine] (HTJSq) were used in spin-coated polymer films at different doping concentrations. By varying the doping concentration in thin films, the real part of highly dispersive permittivity ε1 can be manipulated and tuned such that the spectral width of ENZ region -1 < ε1