The two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of a new tetraphenylethene derivative and its covalent dimers have been calculated employing the density functional response theory. It is found that linear arrangement of branches can give rise to a cooperative TPA behavior. Partial planarity and linear arrangement are the possible reasons for the observed aggregation-induced TPA enhancement. On the basis of the model molecule, we have designed a series of tetraphenylethene derivatives which differ by donor moieties, connection modes, or central bridges after taking the structure–property relationship of TPA mechanism into account. The TPA spectra of the designed molecules have been calculated, and their TPA properties are analyzed at length. Our results suggest that the change of the connection mode of the carbazole group and the introduction of a vinylene or ethynylene linkage into a molecule can enhance TPA intensity greatly. It can be expected that all of the designed molecules could possess high TPA features. This research is helpful for the design of efficient TPA materials.

One- and two-photon absorption properties of organic chromophores consisting of interacting dipolar branches have been studied using density functional response theory in combination with molecular dynamics simulation. Effects of dipole interaction on optical absorptions have been examined. The importance of solvent effects on optical properties of charge-transfer states is explored by means of polarizable continuum model. It is found that for the interacting dipolar molecule with flexible conformations in solutions, the structural fluctuations can result in new spectral features or significant broadening of one-photon absorption spectrum. Our study highlights again the usefulness of the combined quantum chemical and molecular dynamics approach for modeling two-photon absorption materials in solutions.