Nonlinear optics of molecular nanostructures in solution: Assessment of the size and nonlinear optical properties
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Most of the known self-assembly processes occur in solution, where nanosized objects interact each other forming new structures. Their real-time characterization in terms of the size and optical properties of these objects is vital for understanding those interactions. We report a novel application of nonlinear optics to study molecular structures and assemblies. By measuring the power of the third-harmonic generated in a solution of nanoparticles, we determined both the size and the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility of those nanoparticles. The newly developed technique was successfully employed to observe the structural organization of collagen (type I) molecules in solution. 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.