Quantitative non-linear optical imaging in the nano-regime

The development of functional solid state non-linear optical (NLO) systems for device applications is critical to several fields. Optical computing, laser hardening, 3-dimensional data storage and remote sensing are just a few of the areas advanced by the characterization of new NLO systems. One promising venue for the development of these technologies is the nano-/meso-scale self assembly of viable chromophores into tunable aggregates. Here we present a method by which individual aggregates can be quantitatively imaged by two photon fluorescence near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM).