Second-order nonlinear optical activity of biomolecular assemblies

The focus of this work is to develop new methodologies to study the second-order nonlinear optical properties of biomolecular assemblies. The main focus is explaining and interrupting the large chrioptical responses in second harmonic generation (SHG). A simple orientational model is purposed to explain the origin of the chiroptical activity in SHG. Also visual aids are developed in order to provided intuitive methods for understanding these process at the molecular level. Using these visual aids, strategies to identify the key molecular properties and macromolecular arrangements for optimizing the SH response of chiral crystals are developed. Finally, SHG is demonstrated as novel tool for the early detection of protein crystallization.