Chemists synthesize a new dye particularly suitable for the inconspicuous labelling of textiles

Technology based on the use of high-performance lasers and sensors for the generation and detection of infrared light promises to be one of the key technologies of the 21st century. Realization of this goal will require the use of dyes that absorb light specifically in the near-infrared region of the spectrum, and such compounds are therefore of special interest to both researchers and commercial firms. One class of chemicals that show great potential in this area are the so-called peri-arylenes