Abstract: The present invention is directed to styryl dyes having the formula: wherein D is an electron donating group; Q is an electron acceptor selected from the group consisting of electron acceptors having the formulae: W is an electron accepting group, R3 is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl moieties, n is an integer from 0 to 4, A, B, and C are substituents of their rings and are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxyalkyl, sulfoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and hydrogen, and Y is a counterion The present invention discloses media and methods for recording data. A three-dimensional matrix including a plurality of dye molecules, such a styryl dye molecule of the present invention, is provided. A first volume element in the matrix is exposed to actinic radiation for a duration and at an intensity effective to alter detectably a fraction between 0.3 and 0.

Abstract: Styryl dyes and compositions which exhibit superior two-photon absorption cross-sections and are useful in two-photon pumped cavity lasing, two-photon pumped upconversion lasing, optical power limiting, optical power stabilization, optical signal reshaping, and infrared beam detection and indication are disclosed. Also disclosed are multiphasic nanostructured composites which include a glass having pores, an optically active coating material on the pore surface, and a polymeric material in the pores. These composites are useful in producing multifunctional optical materials, such as broadly tunable lasers. Methods for killing cells and viruses using a photosensitizer and a two-photon upconverting dye are also described. These methods are especially useful to kill cells and viruses in biological materials, such as in photodynamic therapy of tumors and cancers or blood purification protocols.

Abstract: A composite having third order non-linear optical activity comprising, an organic polymer and an inorganic material. The organic polymer has third order nonlinear optical activity and the inorganic material is a sol-gel glass. The organic polymer or a precursor of the organic polymer is mutually soluble with a precursor of the sol-gel glass. The invention also includes photonic media having the above composite and a method of making the composite.