Recent Advances in the Nonlinear Optical Properties and Optical Limiting Effect of Chalcone Derivatives: A Review

ABSTRACT This review presents a comprehensive overview of the nonlinear optical (NLO) responses and optical limiting (OL) behavior of chalcone derivatives reported in the literature between 2015 and 2025. Chalcones are π‐conjugated organic compounds that can be easily modified by incorporating donor or acceptor substituents to enhance their optical efficiency. The review includes both theoretical studies using density functional theory (DFT) and experimental studies using the Z‐scan technique. Important NLO parameters like dipole moment ( μ ), static mean polarizability or isotropic polarizability (〈 α〉 ), polarizability anisotropy or anisotropic polarizability (Δ α ), first order hyperpolarizability ( β tot ), average (isotropic) second order hyperpolarizability (〈γ〉) and second‐order hyperpolarizability (γ h ), third‐order susceptibility (χ (3) ), nonlinear refractive index ( n 2 ), nonlinear absorption coefficient ( β ), and optical limiting threshold are discussed. The results show that chalcones with strong donor–acceptor (push–pull) structures and extended conjugation exhibit good third‐order NLO responses and low optical limiting thresholds. Unlike previous reports, this work establishes a direct correlation between theoretical predictions and experimental observations, providing deeper insight into molecular design strategies. These findings highlight the potential of chalcone‐based materials for applications in laser protection, optical switching, and advanced photonic devices, and offer valuable guidelines for the development of next‐generation organic NLO materials.