Self-localization of excitons and nonlinear optical properties of J-aggregates in a periodically modulated thin film

Nonlinear optical properties of dye J-aggregates embedded in a one-dimensional periodic medium are analyzed theoretically and numerically. The effect of strain-induced exciton self-localization in a chain of monomers on nonlinear optical properties of the system is investigated for weakly and highly ordered J-aggregates. It is found that exciton self-localization in a periodic medium enhances light absorption and effective optical susceptibility. Optical bistability thresholds are examined for weakly and strongly excited dye J-aggregate thin films. It is shown that the threshold intensity of incident electromagnetic field is lower by more than an order of magnitude as compared to that for a homogeneous medium.