Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of merocyanines derived from malononitrile dimer

The reaction between malononitrile dimer and 1,3-dithiole-derived polyenals affords push-pull systems with (Z)-geometry around the newly formed CC bond. In one instance, an unexpected shortening of the merocyanine chain takes place. These push-pull derivatives have weakly alternated structures and moderate optical nonlinearities, which can be modified by functionalization of the amino group.     

The synthesis of bis(oligophenyleneethynylenes): novel potential nonlinear optical materials

Various functionalised phenyleneethynylene dimers 10 and trimers 12 were synthesised by palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira methodology. These dimers and trimers were coupled to 1,8-diido-10-methoxyanthracene to generate bis(oligophenyleneethynylenes) 17 and 18. Preliminary results towards the construction of both phenyleneethynylene and phenylenevinylene hybrid motifs are presented.     

Solvent Effects on Two-Photon Absorption of Alkyne and Alkene π-bridging Chromophores

The present work concerns the study of solvent effects on the geometrical structures, as well as one- and two-photon absorption (TPA) processes, for two series of alkyne and alkene π-bridging molecules, within the framework of the polarization continuum model. Particular emphasis was put on the characterization of solvent effects on the molecular geometrical structures and geometric distortion, which were measured by the bond-length-alternation parameter. The π centres in the compounds are seen to play a decisive role in increasing the TPA cross section and nonlinear optical properties. All studied molecules have relatively strong TPA characteristics, while the alkyne π-bridging ones yield larger TPA cross sections.     

Polymeric liquid crystals: structural basis for ferroelectric and nonlinear optical properties

This paper describes the rational design and structure–property relations in three different types of polar LC polymers with interesting material properties, as follows. (i) Chiral LC polymers, which are functionalized with crosslinkable groups, can be converted into LC elastomers with chiral smectic C^* phases. The mechanical orientability of these elastomers leads to new piezoelectric materials. (ii) The curing (dense crosslinking) of a polymer matrix provides one possibility of stabilizing the polar order of dye molecules, which is necessary for frequency doubling. Additionally, LC phases can help to stabilize this polar structure, which leads to large and stable nonlinear optical coefficients. (iii) Polymer analogous esterifications offer a convenient method for the synthesis of chiral smectic C^* polymers with large ferrolectric polarizations.     

CdS nanoparticles chemically modified PAN functional materials: Preparation and nonlinear optical properties

The fabrication of nanocomposites by covalent inclusion of inorganic nanoparticles in an organic polymer matrix is highly topical and may find applications in the electronics, optics and energy sectors. Incorporation of CdS nanoparticles into the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrices could be expected to display improved or enhanced optoelectronic and optical properties. Using a newly synthesized RAFT agent, i.e., CdS-DDAT nanoparticles (DDAT: S-1-Dodecyl-S′-(α, α′-dimethyl-α′′-acetic acid) trithiocarbonate), CdS covalently functionalized polyacrylonitrile (CdS-PAN) nanocomposite material was prepared in the presence of small amount of AIBN under ultrasonic radiation. This material, which exhibits an induced positive nonlinear absorption of incident light, has been well-characterized by a variety of physical techniques such as GPC, UV/vis, FT-IR, TGA, XRD and Z-scan.     

Synthesis,structure and nonlinear optical properties of three dimensional compounds

The combination of metal ions with H₃tbba has resulted in the formation of two three dimensional coordination compounds {[Zn(H₂tbba)₂(H₂O)] · 2(OC₃H₆)} _n (1) and {[Mn(H₂tbba)₂(H₂O)] · 2(OC₃H₆)} _n (2) (H₂tbba = 2-thiobarbituric acid anion). Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural with metal ions bridged by four hydroxyl oxygens from four different H₂tbba ligands to form a 3D network. H₂tbba exhibits bidentate coordination with both hydroxyl oxygens participating in coordination, a new coordination mode. Nonlinear absorption and refraction of 1 and 2 in DMF are studied by using Z-scan measurement technique at 532 nm. 1 and 2 possess nonlinear optical absorption and self-focusing.     

Oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene and oxacorrole-ferrocene conjugates: synthesis, structure, and nonlinear optical properties

Ferrocenyl macrocyclic conjugates involving 22 pi oxasmaragdyrins and 18 pi oxacorroles have been synthesized and characterized. The direct covalent linkage of the ferrocenyl moiety to the meso position of the macrocycle is achieved by simple oxidative coupling of appropriate precursors with trifluoroacetic acid as catalyst. The electronic coupling between the ferrocenyl moiety and the macrocyclic pi system is apparent from: a) the red shifts (293-718 cm(-1)) of the Soret and Q-bands in the electronic absorption spectra of ferrocenyl conjugates; b) the shift of oxidation potentials (50-130 mV) of both the ferrocene and the corrole rings to the positive potentials; and c) considerable shortening of the C-C bond which connects the ferrocene and the meso-carbon atom of the macrocycle. The single-crystal X-ray structure of oxasmaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 9 reveals the planarity of the 22 pi skeleton with very small deviations of the meso-carbon atoms. The meso-ferrocenyl substituent has a small dihedral angle of 38 degrees, making way for mixing of the molecular orbitals of the ferrocene and the macrocycle. However, the other two meso substituents are almost perpendicular to the mean plane, defined by the three meso carbon atoms. Classical C-H...O and nonclassical C-H...pi interactions lead to a two-dimensional supramolecular network. Ferrocene-smaragdyrin conjugate 9 bonds to a chloride ion in the protonated form and a rhodium(i) ion in the free base form. Nonlinear optical measurements reveal a larger nonlinear refractive index (-5.83 x 10(-8)cm(2)W(-1)) and figure of merit (2.28 x 10(-8)cm(3)W(-1)) for the rhodium smaragdyrin-ferrocene conjugate 19 than for the others, suggesting its possible application in optical devices.     

Second-harmonic properties of dendritic polymers skeleton-constructed with azobenzene moiety used for nonlinear optical materials

A series of dendrons and dendrimers skeleton-constructed with azobenzene moiety were synthesized and doped in a high T_g polycarbonate (PC) as a host for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. The optimal loading density and poling conditions were investigated using UV-vis spectral and second-harmonic generation (SHG) measurements. The results showed that the dendrons and dendrimers have good solubility in PC host, which increased with the generation increased. Moreover, the SHG measurements indicated that the dendrons possess higher nonlinearity than the dendrimers. The chromophores of lower generation dendrons were easier to orient along the poling electric field and gave a cone shape with the azobenzene branching units, which coherently contributed to the molecular hyperpolarizability and resulted in the higher SHG intensity. The temporal stability of the dendrons with 15% loading density was also investigated, and showed that the decaying in nonlinearity was slower for higher generation dendrons.     

Synthesis and features of nonlinear optical switches based on dithienylethene unit

Two nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores C1 and C2 based on dithienylethene were designed and synthesized as the ultraviolet NLO switches. The open/close behavior of C1 and C2 were investigated through the UV–vis spectra. Through quantum chemical calculations of the dipole moments, first and second hyperpolarizabilities, etc. we analyzed both opening and closure states of C1 and C2. The NLO switch ability of the chromophores were studied through monitoring of the SHG at the opening/closure states, which were performed under illumination of fourth harmonic generation of the nanosecond Nd:YAG laser (λ?=?266?nm). The obtained results indicated that the maximal SHG changes were observed at energy density equal to about 90?J/m², and the samples C1, 2′ closure states possess significantly higher value of the second order susceptibility compared to the opening states. After switching off of the external UV light, the induced second order susceptibilities remain up to 150?h without a decrease, which indicated that the obtained chromophores have the potential application as the NLO switches applied in photonics.     

Aryl-substituted dithiafulvenes: synthesis,electronic properties,and redox reactivity

A series of aryl-substituted dithiafulvenes (DTFs) has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The studies indicate that the aryl-substituents not only affect the structures and electronic properties of the DTF derivatives, but also impose significant impact on their stability and reactivity when oxidized into radical cations.     

Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of fluorine-containing naphthalocyanines

The fluorine-containing metal naphthalocyanines [F16NcGaCl] (7) and [(F16NcGa)2O] (8), which represent the first examples of peripherally fluorine substituted naphthalocyanines, were synthesized, and the nonlinear optical transmission was studied. Peripheral substitution by fluorine atoms enhances the solubility and photostability of the naphthalocyanines. In particular, for the axially mu-oxo-bridged naphthalocyanine dimer 8, practically no aggregation was observed in organic solvents and it has proved to be an efficient optical limiter when irradiated with laser light pulses at the wavelength of 532 nm, with pulse duration of 5 ns and repetition rate of 20 Hz.     

Reply to the comment on MORT treatment of bond length alternation in conjugated hydrocarbons

It is shown that in treating bond distortions in the framework of the approach suggested by Nakajima, the contributions of different terms to the total energy are highly sensitive to the choice of parameters and to variations in the functional dependence of the resonance integral as a function of bond length. Hence one can not unambiguously attribute the overall effect to any particular term or terms, and sometimes one has to make a rather careful adjustment in order to avoid qualitatively erroneous results. Though the simple molecular orbital resonance theory (MORT) approach is rather naive, it correctly predicts relative bond lengths in a range of molecules with essentially no parameter adjustment. This approach is hence a rather successful first order approximation to more sophisticated models which progressively incorporate missing contributions. The variation of the resonance integral with bond length and the -bond compression energy should be in these more sophisticated models undoubtedly taken into account. However, the contribution of the charge polarisation can not be totally disregarded, especially in the case of conjugated compounds containing small rings.Theoretica Chimica Acta 65, 77–80 (1984)     

Optically-induced second-order nonlinear optical effect in polyvinyl alcohol photopolymers

IR induced picosecond nonlinear optical effects in polyvinyl alcohol photopolymer is investigated. The second harmonic generation (SHG) is studied versus the pump power and delaying time between the pump and probing beam (λ=1.55 and 1.32 μm, respectively). The phenomena are explained within a framework of fifth-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities. An explanation of the observed dependences is given within a framework of photostimulated vibrations, which enhance acentric electron-phonon anharmonicity. Temperature dependences of the observed phenomena fully confirm the electron-phonon anharmonic origin of the observed effect.     

Alkynyl expanded donor-acceptor calixarenes: geometry and second-order nonlinear optical properties

A number of wide- and narrow-rimmed functionalized alkynylcalix[4]arenes have been synthesized by Sonogashira coupling. With respect to their optical properties, these donor-acceptor systems are treated as ensembles of covalently linked, electronically independent tolane subchromophores. Linear UV/visible and fluorescence spectroscopic investigations revealed that the charge-transfer character of the electronic transitions in calixarenes, and also the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties depend on the electron-withdrawing nature of the terminal ethynylphenyl substituent (NO(2), CF(3), H). The nitro derivatives display high values of the quadratic hyperpolarizability beta. Not only do the (nonlinear) optical properties of the target compounds depend on the number and relative disposition of the subchromophores, but also on the geometry of the calixarenes. In particular, the opening angle of the calixarene cavity can be determined by the substitution pattern of the calixarene scaffold (wide- versus narrow-rim substitution) and the number of the acetylene functions introduced. Both the NLO properties and the conformational issues are conveniently assessed by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) in solution, and supported by X-ray crystallography in the solid state.     

Solvent induced enhancement of nonlinear optical response of graphdiyne

Flat and crystalline materials with exceptional nonlinear optical(NLO) properties are highly desirable for their potential applications in integrated NLO photonic devices.Graphdiyne(GD),a new twodimensional(2 D) carbon allotrope,has recently evoked burgeoning research attention by virtue of its tunable bandgap along with a high carrier mobility and extended π-conjugation compared with most conventional optical materials.Here,we experimentally probe the third-order nonlinear optical response of GD dispersed in several common solvents(alcohols) using a femtosecond Z-scan technique.The measured nonlinear optical refractive index is in the order of ~10^-8 cm²/W,which is approximately one order of magnitude higher than that of most 2 D materials.In particular,we find that different NLO responses can be observed from GD when dispersed in different solvents,with the strongest NLO response when dispersed in 1-propanol.It is proposed that some intrinsic properties of the solvents,such as the polarity and viscosity,could influence the NLO response of GD materials.Our experimental results confirm the assumptions on the NLO behavior in GD and demonstrate its great potential for future generations of Kerr-effect-based NLO materials and devices.     

Synthesis and cubic nonlinear optical behavior of phenyl and ferrocenyl-ended resorcinarene-based dendrimers

Dendrimers were synthesized with phenyl and ferrocenyl-ended groups joined by vinyl moieties. All the dendrons used for dendrimers synthesis had showed trans configuration. This configuration as well as the ‘cone’ conformation of the resorcinarenes was preserved in the dendrimers, as it was shown by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The chemical structure and purity of the synthesized dendrimers were confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FAB+, MALDI-TOF, electrospray mass spectra, and elemental analysis. Cubic nonlinear optical behavior of this first generation of resorcinarene dendrimers was studied. The χ⁽³⁾ values estimated from the THG Maker-fringe technique for the phenyl and ferrocenyl-ended resorcinarene dendrimers dispersed in thin solid films are of the order of 10⁻¹³ and 10⁻¹² esu, respectively.     

Third-order nonlinear optical studies of newly synthesized polyoxadiazoles containing 3,4-dialkoxythiophenes

The third-order nonlinear optical properties of newly synthesized soluble polyoxadiazoles containing 3,4-dialkoxythiophenes were investigated by using Z-scan and degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) techniques. The measurements were performed at 532 nm with 7 ns pulses from a Nd:YAG laser. We found a good agreement between the values of χ⁽³⁾ determined from both the experiments. Z-scan results indicate a negative nonlinear refractive index, n₂, whose magnitude is of the order of 10⁻¹⁰ esu for all the copolymers. The variation of nonlinear response among the copolymers clearly indicates the dependence of χ⁽³⁾ on donor and acceptor type of units present in these copolymers. The copolymers exhibit strong reverse saturable absorption and good optical limiting properties at 532 nm.     

Evaluation of nonlinear optical susceptibility of polydiacetylenes by third harmonic generation

Nonlinear optical susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of polydiacetylenes has been evaluated by third harmonic generation. First, in order to obtain the χ⁽³⁾ tensor component along the polymer main chain, thin single crystals of two representative polydiacetylenes, poly-PTS and poly-DCHD were made by utilization of sampling technique in microscopy, i.e., the microtome cutting of single crystal embedded in plastic resin. The THG intensity observed was proportional to cos⁸θ, where θ was the angle between the polymer main chain and the polarization of laser light. The χ⁽³⁾ value of poly-DCHD was found to be rather higher than that of poly-PTS. At resonant wavelength of 1.97 μm, the χ⁽³⁾ of poly-DCHD attained 8 x 10^?10 esu. Furthermore, it was confirmed that when geometrical correction were properly made, the χ⁽³⁾ obtained from polycrystalline thin film of poly-PTS agreed well with that from thin single crystals. Secondary, regarding poly-diphenyldiacetylene derivatives, it was found that the π-conjugation between the polymer main chain and aromatic substituents was effective on the improvement of χ⁽³⁾ values. The χ⁽³⁾ magnitudes of poly-BTFP and poly-DFMP reflect well the dihedral angles between polymer main chain and the phenyl substituents (58° for poly-BTFP and 67° for poly-DFMP) as a measure of π-conjugation. Especially, at nonresonant region of 2.1 μm the χ⁽³⁾ of poly-BTFP is about 5 times greater than that of poly-PTS.