Antiparallel-aligned neutral-ground-state and zwitterionic chromophores as a nonlinear optical material

Efficient noncentrosymmetric arrangement of nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores with high first-order hyperpolarizability (beta) for increased electro-optical (EO) efficiency has proven challenging as strong dipolar interactions between the chromophores encourage antiparallel alignment, attenuating the macroscopic EO effect. This work explores a novel approach to simultaneously achieve large beta values while providing an adjustable dipole moment by linking a strong neutral-ground-state (NGS) NLO chromophore with positive beta to a zwitterionic (ZWI) chromophore with negative beta in an antiparallel fashion. It is proposed that the overall beta of such a structure will be the sum of the absolute values of the two types of chromophores while the dipole moment will be the difference. Molecules 1-3 were synthesized to test the feasibility of this approach. Molecular dynamics calculations and NMR data supported that the NGS chromophore component and the ZWI chromophore component self-assemble to an antiparallel conformation in chloroform. Calculations showed that the dipole moment of 1 is close to the difference of the two component chromophores. Hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) studies confirmed that the first hyperpolarizability of 1 is close to the sum of the two component chromophores. These results support the idea that an antiparallel-aligned neutral-ground-state chromophore and a zwitterionic chromophore can simultaneously achieve an increase in beta and a decrease of the dipole moment.     

Theoretical Study on First Hyperpolarizabilities of End-Capped Triply Branched Dendrimers

A series of end-capped triply branched dendritic chromophores have been studied by means of density functional theory calculations. It is found that the second order nonlinear optical properties of the end-capped dendrimers are strongly dependent on the mutual orientations of the three chromophores, numbers of caps and the conjugation length of the chromophores. Large enhancement of the ˉrst hyperpolarizability can be obtained when dipole moments of three branches in the dendrimers are highly parallelized.     

Enhanced optoelectronic properties with aromatic bridges: A computational study on N-methyl pyridinium and phenolate types of push-pull zwitterions

A series of zwitterions with varying bridges, connecting N-methyl pyridinium acceptor, with phenolate donor, are investigated using various methodologies like, HF, B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP and ωB97xD. In this systematic study effects of various mono aromatic rings as bridges, on the response properties like, the dipole moments (μ), polarizabilities (α), hyperpolarizabilities (β) and adiabatic absorptions were analyzed using CPHF and TDDFT (or TDHF) theories. Compared to many traditional bridges, as well as without a bridge, enhanced nonlinear optical (2ND order NLO) responses were observed for these aromatically bridged zwitterions (with benzene ring as bridge ~5.3 times and ~7.9 times enhanced hyperpolarizabilities were observed compared to either the ethylene bridge or without any bridge cases, respectively). Also, many significant differences and large enhancements in response properties were observed compared to our earlier works on non-zwitterionic system (~4.3 times enhanced hyperpolarizability—benzene as bridge case). For some bridge cases, 10- to 15-fold enhanced hyperpolarizabilities were observed compared to without any bridge case. This work reports a class of non-TICT chromophores, promoting bridge aromaticity control on structure–property correlation, as a suitable and efficient chromophore design strategy to create a wide range of function molecular chromophores. Also, unidirectional natures of response properties and large dipole moments can make these zwitterions suitable 1D-molecular materials for various contemporary technological applications, as poled polymer-based materials.     

Synthesis, molecular structure, spectroscopic studies and second-order nonlinear optical behaviour of N,N'-(2-hydroxy-propane-1,3-diyl)-bis(5-nitrosalicylaldiminato-N,O)-copper(II)

N,N'-(2-Hydroxy-propane-1,3-diyl)-bis(5-nitrosalicylaldiminato-N,O)-copper(II) has been synthesized. The crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, and linear optical characterization has been determined by UV-vis spectroscopy. It was found that the molecule under investigation has solvatochromic behaviour in the UV region, implying non-zero microscopic first hyperpolarizability. To reveal the microscopic nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, the static first hyperpolarizabilities (beta) and the electric dipole moments (mu) were evaluated by using the ab initio finite field (FF) method. According to the results of the FF calculations, the synthesized compound exhibits non-zero beta values, and it might have microscopic NLO behaviour.     

Effect of modified donor units on molecular hyperpolarizability of thienyl-vinylene nonlinear optical chromophores

Highly efficient and thermally stable nonlinear optical chromophores based on the phenyl vinylene thiophene vinylene (FTC) donor-π-acceptor structure have been synthesized and investigated. The donor part of the chromophores was modified with additional donor units, resulting in the enhanced nonlinear optical property with large molecular hyperpolarizability. Hyper-Rayleigh scattering measurement indicated nearly threefold increase of the molecular hyperpolarizability for novel chromophores compared with the benchmark FTC chromophore. Furthermore, measurement of the electro-optic coefficient confirmed that enhancement of microscopic molecular hyperpolarizability of the chromophores can be effectively translated into macroscopic electro-optic property. Measured electro-optic coefficients were nearly twofold larger than that for the benchmark FTC. Thermal analysis indicated that the synthesized chromophores showed the excellent temperature stability with decomposition temperatures up to 280 °C.     

On the dipole moments and first-order hyperpolarizability of N,N-bis(4-bromobutyl)-4-nitrobenzenamine

The nonlinear optical molecule N,N-bis(4-bromobutyl)-4-nitrobenzenamine was synthesized. The ground state dipole moment was determined by the Debye-Guggenheim method. A solvent mixture of acetonitrile and toluene was used for the solvatochromic determination of the excited state dipole moment. Excited state has a high value for the dipole moment which indicated a higher degree of charge transfer from the donor to the acceptor moiety on excitation by light. The first hyperpolarizability (beta(ijk)) of the molecule was evaluated assuming the two level model of the first hyperpolarizability.     

The choice of appropriate density functional for the calculation of static first hyperpolarizability of azochromophores and stacking dimers

The effect of the stacked azo‐chromophore dimer formation on the values of static first hyperpolarizability is studied in the framework of the DFT‐based approach; calculations were also performed at the MP2 level. A number of dispersion‐corrected density functionals—В97D, ωВ97X‐D, and M06‐2X—is tested to calculate the structure of the dimer, the value of binding energy, and molecular nonlinear optical characteristics. According to the QTAIM analysis, the presence of bond critical points is revealed in the intermolecular region, the signs and values of topological characteristics giving evidence for the noncovalent van der Waals interaction between the chromophores. The formation of stacks results in moderate increase of dimer static first hyperpolarizability as compared to that of a single chromophore, the effect depending on the relative shift of the chromophores in dimer. In a special case of greatly shifted chromophores, this enhancement of the first hyperpolarizability becomes appreciable and achieves 72%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Nonlinear optical properties, synthesis, structures and spectroscopic studies of N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-o-fluoroamine and N-(3-nitrobenzylidene)-p-fluoroamine

N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-o-fluoroamine (1) and N-(3-nitrobenzylidene)-p-fluoroamine (2) have been synthesized. The crystal structures of both compounds have been defined by X-ray diffraction analysis, and characterized by FT-IR and UV-visible instrumental methods. The recorded spectrum by UV-visible spectroscopy for the investigated compounds show good transparency in the visible region, and have solvatochromic behavior in the UV region, implying nonzero microscopic first hyperpolarizability. We also report ab initio quantum chemical calculations of the electric dipole moments (mu) and the first hyperpolarizabilities (beta) of the studied compounds. Our results suggest that the investigated ligands might have microscopic nonlinear optical (NLO) behavior with nonzero values.     

Bis(merocyanine) Homo-Folda-Dimers: Evaluation of Electronic and Spectral Changes in Well-Defined Dye Aggregate Geometries

A series of three bis(merocyanine) dyes comprising chromophores of different conjugation lengths has been synthesized and the intramolecular aggregation process was investigated by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. The spectral changes observed upon variation of the solvent polarity reveal a folding process resulting in a cofacial π-stack of two chromophores with a decrease of the aggregation tendency with increasing chromophore length and solvent polarity. Solvent-dependent UV/Vis studies of the monomeric reference dyes show a significant increase of the polyene-like character for dyes with longer polymethine chains in nonpolar solvents, which is reversed upon aggregation due to the polarizability effect of the adjacent chromophore within the dye stack. The pronounced hypsochromic shift of the absorption band observed upon aggregation indicates strong coupling of the dyes’ transition dipole moments, which was confirmed by quantum-chemical analysis.     

Environmental and excitonic effects on the first hyperpolarizability of polar molecules and related dimers

We investigate the second-order nonlinear optical properties of a push-pull chromophore in different external and supramolecular environments, through a combined experimental and theoretical approach. In particular, we compare the first hyperpolarizability (beta) of a model dipolar and polarizable chromophore with that of a charged analogue and of a molecular dimer based on the chromophore itself. We find that the beta value of the model chromophore in solutions of low-polarity solvents is strongly affected by association effects, already at concentrations of 10 (-3) M. The presence of a positive charge in close proximity to the chromophore is found to lead to a 100% increase of the beta response of the model push-pull chromophore. This effect is of major importance for biological applications, in particular when chromophores are used as markers in charged anisotropic environments. Finally, excitonic effects, beyond the Frenkel exciton approximation, are discussed for the dimer and found to be more important the higher the order of nonlinearity is.     

Effects of dipolar interactions on linear and nonlinear optical properties of multichromophore assemblies: a case study

Interchromophore interactions in flexible multidipolar structures for nonlinear optics were addressed by a combined experimental and theoretical study on two series of one-, two-, and three-chromophore systems in which identical push-pull chromophores are assembled through covalent and flexible linkers in close proximity. The photophysical and nonlinear optical properties (quadratic hyperpolarizability) of the multichromophore systems were investigated and compared to those of the monomeric chromophores. Multimers have larger dipole moments than their monomeric analogues, that is, the dipolar subchromophores self-orientate within the multimeric structures. This effect was found to depend on the intersubchromophore distance in a nontrivial manner, which confirms that molecular engineering of such flexible systems is more complex than in completely geometrically controlled systems. Electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) measurements in solution revealed increased figures of merit as compared to the monomeric analogue. This effect increases with increasing number and polarity of the individual subchromophores in the nanoassembly and increasing spacing between dipolar subchromophores. Experimental results are interpreted by a theoretical model for interacting polar and polarizable chromophores. The properties of multidipolar assemblies are shown to be related to the relative orientation of chromophores, which is imposed by interchromophore interactions. The supramolecular structure is thus a result of self-organization. The proposed theoretical model was also used to predict the properties of multichromophore structures made up of more polar and polarizable push-pull chromophores, and showed that stronger interchromophore interactions can heavily affect the individual optical responses. This suggests new routes for engineering highly NLO responsive multichromophore systems.     

Theoretical investigation of the second-order nonlinear optical properties of helical pyridine-pyrimidine oligomers

The structure and second-order nonlinear optical properties of a series of helical pyridine-pyrimidine oligomers recently synthesized by Barboiu and Lehn have been investigated theoretically by combining molecular mechanics and quantum chemistry approaches. In the absence of substituents, the hyper-Rayleigh scattering response (betaHRS) and the projection of the first hyperpolarizability on the dipole moment (beta||) exhibit periodic variations with chain length, but these nonlinear optical responses remain small. The first hyperpolarizabilities can, however, be enhanced by adding substituents. The greatest enhancement is obtained by substituting the pyrimidine groups by donor groups. Moreover, regular distributions of the donor groups around the helices enable the design of supramolecular structures exhibiting dipolar, octupolar or Lambda-shaped nonlinear optical characters, evident from the values of the depolarization ratios in hyper-Rayleigh scattering. Therefore this theoretical investigation demonstrates the potential of helical structures for the organization of chromophores in such a way that they exhibit large and specific second-order nonlinear optical responses.     

Influence of isomerization on nonlinear optical properties of molecules

The influence of rotational and geometrical isomerism on the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, specifically the first-order hyperpolarizability beta, of chromophores of current interest has been investigated with density functional theory (DFT). In the first of this two-part study, the rotational isomerism of a linear chromophore was explored. Calculation of the torsion potentials about two of the rotatable and conformation-changing single bonds in a chromophore demonstrated the near equality of the molecular energies at 0 degrees and 180 degrees rotational angles. To explore the consequences of this near conformational energy degeneracy to NLO behavior, the eight low energy rotational isomers of FTC [Robinson, B. H.; et al. Chem. Phys. 1999, 245, 35] were investigated. This study provides the first-reported DFT-based calculation of the statistical mechanical average of beta over the conformational space of a molecule having substantial nonlinear optical behavior. The influence of the solvent reaction field on rotameric populations and on the beta tensor is reported. In the second part, two molecules having two donors and two acceptors bonded respectively in ortho and meta positions on a central benzene ring are shown to have substantially different beta tensors. These two so-called molecular Xs have different highest occupied molecular orbital to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) distributions, and consistent with expectations, it is found that the larger beta(zzz) is associated with a large spatial asymmetry between the HOMOs and LUMOs. Large hyperpolarizability correlates with the HOMO concentrated on the donor groups and the LUMO on the acceptor groups.     

Verbenone-based push–pull chromophores with giant first hyperpolarizabilities: A new structure–property correlation study

Novel chromophores Ch1–8 based verbenone bridge with various strong donors and acceptors were designed for applications in nonlinear optics, and the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of those verbenone-type chromophores were systematically investigated using the bond length alteration (BLA) theory, two states model (TSM) and sum-over-states (SOS) model. The results show that several verbenone-based chromophores possess remarkably large molecular second-order hyperpolarizabilities, which is due to its electron distribution close to the cyanine limit, the appropriate strength of acceptor, rather large change in dipole moment and low excitation energy. Computed hyperpolarizability (β_tot) of Ch6 also approach an outstanding 2922 × 10⁻³⁰ esu in TFE. The hyperpolarizability density analyses and two states model (TSM) were carried out to make a further insight into the origination of molecular nonlinearity of this unique system, suggesting that tuning structure of acceptor and polarity of the medium have great influence on the second-order nonlinear optical properties. More importantly, chromophores Ch1–Ch8 exhibited distinct features in two-dimensional second order NLO responses, and the strong electro-optical Pockels effect and optical rectification responses. The excellent electronic sum frequency generations (SFG) and difference frequency generations (DFG) effect are observed in these verbenone-type chromophores. These chromophores have a possibility to be appealing second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, data storage materials and DSSCs materials from the standpoint of large β values, high LHE, and excellent two-dimensional second order NLO responses.     

Localized emitting state and energy transfer properties of quadrupolar chromophores and (multi)branched derivatives

In order to better understand the nature of intramolecular charge and energy transfer in multibranched molecules, we have synthesized and studied the photophysical properties of a monomer quadrupolar chromophore with donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) electronic push-pull structure, together with its V-shaped dimer and star-shaped trimers. The comparison of steady-state absorption spectra and fluorescence excitation anisotropy spectra of these chromophores show evidence of weak interaction (such as charge and energy transfer) among the branches. Moreover, similar fluorescence and solvation behavior of monomer and branched chromophores (dimer and trimer) implies that the interaction among the branches is not strong enough to make a significant distinction between these molecules, due to the weak interaction and intrinsic structural disorder in branched molecules. Furthermore, the interaction between the branches can be enhanced by inserting π bridge spacers (-C═C- or -C≡C-) between the core donor and the acceptor. This improvement leads to a remarkable enhancement of two-photon cross-sections, indicating that the interbranch interaction results in the amplification of transition dipole moments between ground states and excited states. The interpretations of the observed photophysical properties are further supported by theoretical investigation, which reveal that the changes of the transition dipole moments of the branched quadrupolar chromophores play a critical role in observed the two-photon absorption (2PA) cross-section for an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state interaction in the multibranched quadrupolar chromophores.     

Cooperative interactions in supramolecular aggregates: linear and nonlinear responses in calix[4]arenes.

The linear and nonlinear optical polarizabilities of donor-acceptor (D-pi-A) chromophores in confined geometries of calix[4]arenes are investigated through a model for interacting polar-polarizable molecules. Both the linear polarizability (alpha) and the first hyperpolarizability (beta) decrease with increasing the interdipolar angle, as expected in the oriented-gas picture. However, within the polar-polarizable model we predict deviations from the additive result, irrespective of the interdipolar angle. Depending on the nature of the chromophore, electrostatic intermolecular interactions between polar and polarizable chromophores lead to cooperative damping or enhancement of the optical responses. Specifically, for chromophores whose ground state is dominated by the neutral D-pi-A structure both alpha and beta are suppressed with respect to the prediction of the oriented-gas model, whereas the opposite holds true for chromophores whose ground state is dominated by the zwitterionic D(+)-pi-A(-). These results explain recent experimental data on a calix[4]arene functionalized with a donor-acceptor dye for nonlinear optical applications. Density functional theory calculations on the relevant crystal structure further support our interpretation.     

Wavelength dependence of first molecular hyperpolarizability of a dendrimer in solution

The frequency dependence of the first molecular hyperpolarizability of a dendrimer incorporated with thiophene-stilbene based charge-transfer chromophores is investigated by using a nanosecond 1907 nm laser and a number of wavelengths ranging from 1160 to 1760 nm emitted from an optical parametric amplifier pumped by a 1 kHz 130 fs Ti:sapphire laser. The measured hyperpolarizabilities are compared with those calculated from the charge-transfer absorption spectrum involving a Kramers-Kronig transformation scheme. The Kramers-Kronig transformation analysis provides a satisfactory account of the dispersion of the first molecular hyperpolarizability over the entire excitation wavelength range measured. The Kramers-Kronig technique extends the Oudar-Chemla two-level model previously proposed for the first molecular hyperpolarizability and it can be used in the nonresonance as well as the resonance region where the Oudar-Chemla model fails. The Kramers-Kronig transformation scheme allows a consistent intrinsic hyperpolarizability beta(0) to be obtained from the measured beta(HRS) using different excitation wavelengths for the dendrimer. The comparison of beta(0) for the dendrimer, which contains three chromophores, with that of corresponding monomer chromophore suggests that the chromophores inside the dendrimer are independent. This gives the evidence of the site isolation effect of the dendrimer and substantiates the larger macroscopic optical nonlinearity recently obtained for the dendrimer.     

Second-harmonic generation in GFP-like proteins

The second-order nonlinear optical properties of green fluorescent proteins (GFPs), such as the photoswitchable Dronpa and enhanced GFP (EGFP), have been studied at both the theoretical and experimental levels. In the case of Dronpa, both approaches are consistent in showing the rather counterintuitive result of a larger second-order nonlinear polarizability (or first hyperpolarizability, beta) for the protonated state, which has a higher transition energy, than for the deprotonated, fluorescent state with its absorption at lower energy. Moreover, the value of beta for the protonated form of Dronpa is among the highest reported for proteins. In addition to the pH dependence, we have found a wavelength dependence in the beta values. These properties are essential for the practical use of Dronpa or other GFP-like fluorescent proteins as second-order nonlinear fluorophores for symmetry-sensitive nonlinear microscopy imaging and as nonlinear optical sensors for electrophysiological processes. An accurate value of the first hyperpolarizability is also essential for any qualitative analysis of the nonlinear images.     

Systematic study of the structure-property relationship of a series of ferrocenyl nonlinear optical chromophores

A series of novel nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores 1-4 incorporating the ferrocenyl (Fc) group as an electron donor and 2-dicyanomethylene-3-cyano-4-methyl-2,5-dihydrofuran (TCF) derivatives as electron acceptors are presented. The use of a constant Fc donor and varied acceptors and bridges makes it possible to systematically determine the contribution of the conjugated bridge and the acceptor strength to chromophore nonlinear optical activity. The X-ray crystal structures of all four chromophores allow for the systematic investigation of the structure-property relationship for this class of molecules. For example, the crystal structures reveal that both cyclopentadienyl groups in the ferrocenyl donor contribute to the electron donating ability. The first-order hyperpolarizabilities beta of these chromophores, measured by hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) relative to p-nitroaniline are reported. These beta values are compared to those calculated by density functional theory (DFT). The excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental beta values demonstrates that a linear relation exists between the hyperpolarizability and the bond length alternation. An electrooptic coefficient, r(33), of approximately 25 pm/V at 1300 nm, for compound 4, incorporated into a polymer matrix, is competitive with organic chromophores. Moreover, this r(33) is more than 30 times larger than the previously reported value for an organometallic chromophore in a poled polymer matrix. This work not only underscores the potential for Fc donor moieties, which have been underutilized, but also demonstrates that experimental characterization and theoretical simulations are now congruent, viable methods for assessing potential performance of NLO materials.