Optical activity of chiral thin film and liquid crystal hybrids

Using the glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique, we have fabricated porous, chiral thin films with optically anisotropic helical microstructures that exhibit optical phenomena such as wavelength specific rotation of linearly polarized light. Initial research has shown that the porosity of the films allows for the addition of nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) to the films for promising applications in dynamically switchable devices, while simultaneously enhancing the optical properties of the film. This study describes the fundamental optical behaviour of LC-filled chiral thin films in relation to material, porosity, structure and thickness. It was found that for SiO₂ films, the addition of NLCs increased the effective rotatory power by two-fold when compared with results from the film without added LCs. The rotatory power of Al₂O₃ and MgF₂ films, while being similarly increased by the addition of LCs, exhibited a reversal in sign, or direction of rotation, for the visible wavelength spectrum investigated. The effects of film porosity and structure were studied by varying the angle of incidence from 83° to 86°; it was found that the greater porosity of the films deposited at larger angles allowed for more filling by the LCs and thus a larger increase in rotatory power. Finally, the addition of LCs was observed to shift the wavelength of peak rotation towards smaller values.     

Alignment and switching of nematic liquid crystals embedded in porous chiral thin films

Porous thin films with engineered microstructures have been fabricated using glancing angle deposition (GLAD). GLAD films with chiral microstructures have been previously shown to exhibit unique chiral optical response. The pores of these films were embedded with (non-chiral) nematic liquid crystals (LCs) to produce a new composite optical material wherein the GLAD film induces chiral nematic-like LC orientation. We demonstrate here reversible electro-optic switching of the LC component of these hybrid films. Unaddressed, cells of GLAD/LC hybrid films show enhanced chiral optic response compared with the unfilled GLAD film. When addressed, the chiral optic response vanishes.     

Spectroscopic ellipsometry investigations of porous SiO2 films prepared by glancing angle deposition

We present the optical and the structural properties of porous SiO₂ films fabricated by using a glancing angle deposition technique. The influence of the glancing angle on the pseudorefractive index of porous SiO₂ films was studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry in the UV–visible region. The relationships among the pseudorefractive index, the porosity, and the glancing angle are determined. The results show that the pseudorefractive index decreases and the porosity increases with the increase of glancing angle. The minimum pseudorefractive index is found to be 1.11 at 532 nm for the porous SiO₂ film deposited at a glancing angle of 87°. The structural and surface morphology of these samples was also investigated by using a scanning electron microscope. The results indicate that the as‐deposited SiO₂ thin films are porous with a tilted‐columnar structure and low pseudorefractive index. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of the Optical and Gas Sensitivities of a Nickel-Doped Lithium Iron Phosphate Thin Film

The influence of heat-treatment temperature on the optical properties (refractive index, transmittance, and attenuation) and gas sensitivities of nickel-doped lithium iron phosphate (LiFe_0.99Ni_0.01PO₄) thin films were discussed. LiFe_0.99Ni_0.01PO₄ was synthesized in one step using hydrothermal methods and fixed to tin-diffused glass as a sensing film by spin-coating before calcination at different temperatures. The obtained thin films were characterized by refractive index, thickness, attenuation, and porosity, as well as gas sensing performances for benzene, toluene, and xylene. The experimental results indicated that the LiFe_0.99Ni_0.01PO₄ thin films dried at 450°C displayed higher refractive indices, good transparency, and less attenuation; thus, the resulting sensor of a LiFe_0.99Ni_0.01PO₄ thin film/tin-diffused optical wave-guide exhibited a greater response to xylene in the concentration range of 0.1–1000?ppm.     

Optical rotatory power of biodegradable polylactic acid films

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a polymer material on which biodegradability research has been the most advanced. PLA is a chiral polymer in which molecules containing asymmetric carbon atoms have a helical structure. Two optical isomers of PLA exist, PLLA (poly(L-lactic acid)) and PDLA (poly(D-lactic acid)). In this study, using various physical processes, we fabricated various samples such as oriented PLLA film, PLLA fiber, rolled PLLA film and forged PLLA plate. We observed a large optical rotatory power ρ in the cylindrical plate fabricated using a forging process. ρ of forged PLLA plates is 7200°/mm which is approximately 300 times larger than that of α-quartz.     

Effect of sintering temperature on the structural, optical and electrical properties of sol–gel derived indium oxide thin films

Sol gel derived indium oxide, In₂O₃; films were prepared by spin coating technique. The films were dried and sintered at different sintering temperatures (300, 400, 450 and 500 °C) in air. The effect of sintering temperature on the structural, optical and electrical properties of In₂O₃ thin films was studied. The morphology and structure of the films were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The films showed a bcc structure that changes its 400-preferential orientation to 222 orientation as the sintering temperature increases from 300 to 500 °C. The optical behavior of the films was studied by measuring the transmission spectra in the wavelength range 200–2,500 nm. Different optical models have been proposed for fitting the transmittance data and simulate the optical constants as well as the film thickness of In₂O₃ films. The best fitting of the data was obtained by combining the classical Drude and OJL models coupled with the Bruggeman effective medium approximation. The optical parameters of Drude model (plasma frequency and damping constant) are used calculate the electrical properties of the films. The calculated values of the electrical sheet resistance were compared with those measured experimentally by four probes. The correlation between the film orientation change and its optical and electrical properties was discussed.     

Magnetic and magneto-optical properties of Cu-doped Bi,Ga:DyIG and Bi,Al:DyIG films prepared by sol-gel

Cu doped Bi,Al:DyIG and Bi,Ga:DyIG thin films have been prepared on glass substrates by sol-gel method. As-deposited films were amorphous, and after annealing polycrystalline magnetic thin films could be obtained. X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the films were garnet phase with no preferred crystal orientation. The H _c value of 7 kOe was obtained in Cu doped Bi, Al:DyIG films, and the Faraday rotation angle was about 7°/µm at the wavelength of 500 nm. An extremely high H _c value of 13 kOe at room temperature has been got in Bi, Ga:DyIG films, and the Faraday rotation angle was 8°/µm at the wavelength of 510 nm for the optimum value of Ga content. The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (Ku) of garnet films on glass substrate resulted from the inverse magnetostriction. The influence of doping and garnet composition on magnetostriction has been studied. The mechanism of increasing coercive force by Cu doping could be attributed to Cu entering lattice sites.     

Enhanced photoinduced super-hydrophilicity in sol–gel TiO2 thin films with co-doped Sn/Nb

In this work, Sn and Nb co-doped TiO₂ were coated on glazed porcelain substrates via sol–gel dip coating method. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis spectrophotometer were used to evaluate thickness and optical properties of the thin films. Surface chemical state of thin films was examined by atomic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Water contact angle on the film surfaces was measured by a contact angle analyzer under solar light irradiation. The optical results indicated that Sn/Nb dopant in TiO₂ thin film changed the absorption edge from ultraviolet to visible light and exhibited excellent photo-catalytic ability for degradation of methylene blue solution under solar irradiation. Wettability results indicated that Sn and Nb dopant ions had significant effect on the hydrophilicity property of thin films.     

Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>,Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> thin films prepared by sol–gel method: structural and optical studies

Y₂O₃: Eu³⁺,Tb³⁺ transparent, high density and optical quality thin films were prepared by the sol–gel dip-coating technique. Yttrium (III) 2,4-pentadionate was used as a precursor by its hydrolysis in ethanol. The doping agents were incorporated in the form of europium and terbium nitrate. Structural, morphological and optical properties of prepared films were investigated for different annealing temperatures in order to establish the ideal processing route that enhances the luminescent properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows the cubic phase for 10-layer films and annealing temperatures higher than 500°C. At 700°C, highly densified (4.52 g cm⁻³) and very smooth films (1.4 nm at 700°C) are produced, composed of crystallites with a grain size of 11 nm. The film thickness, refractive index and porosity, as well as the luminescent properties, were found to vary with treatment temperature.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Soluble Polyimide Containing a Photoreactive 4‐Styrylpyridine Derivative as the Side Group

An aromatic polyimide bearing photoreactive 4‐(2‐(4‐oxyethylenyloxyphenyl)vinyl)pyridine side groups was synthesized and characterized. The polymer is stable up to 300°C and soluble in organic solvents, giving thin films in good quality. When exposed to UV light, it reorients favorably with an angle of 98° with respect to the electric vector of linearly polarized UV light. UV‐exposed films align liquid‐crystals (LCs) homogeneously along the preferential orientation of the polymer chains on the surface. The pretilt angle of the LCs is 0.32–0.92°, depending on the exposure dose and annealing. LC alignment is retained up to 210°C. Based on the optical retardation behavior and spectroscopic measurements, a photoalignment mechanism is proposed.     

Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility of Fe2O3 Thin Film Synthesized by a Modified Sol-Gel Method

The homogeneous transition metal oxide Fe₂O₃ thin films are synthesized in a modified sol-gel process by spin coating. The third order nonlinear optical susceptibility of the film is about 2 × 10^–9 esu at 488 nm wavelength by the z-scan method with a 180 femtosecond pulse laser beam. The film is expected to be useful for the application of nonlinear optical devices.     

Titania nanocomposite films derived by modified sol-gel process for photovoltaic application

Titania nanocomposite films were fabricated by spin-coating from sol-gel derived pastes of TiO₂ powder in titanium isopropoxide sol. The thin films were characterized for structural, optical and hydrophilic properties and evaluated as electrodes in a photoelectrochemical cell. Addition of TiO₂ powder increased film thickness, reduced transmittance, water contact angle and electrochemical impedance, and promoted photocurrent generation. Increasing Triton X-100 surfactant loading in the composite slurry influenced film texture and transmittance, and the resultant films exhibited a lower photocurrent yield but were more hydrophilic to favor charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The aggregation of TiO₂ particles of different sizes in the composite film facilitates light-scattering and electron transport to enhance quantum efficiency. The addition of Triton X-100 surfactant influences the distribution of scattering centers to increase transparency.     

Structure and Optical Properties of 0.1BiFeO3-0.9SrBi2Nb2O9 Thin Films Using a Modified Sol-Gel Technique

Fe-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ precursor solution was synthesized using bismuth nitrate Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O, strontium nitrate Sr(NO₃)₂, iron nitrate Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, and niobium ethoxide Nb(OC₂H₅)₅ as starting materials, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (C₃H₈O₂) as the solvent. 0.1BiFeO₃-0.9SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ thin films were prepared on fused quartz substrates using sol-gel processing. The surface morphology and crystal structure and optical properties of the thin films were investigated. The thin film annealing at 400°C were found to be amorphous, and the thin films crystallize to a perovskite structure after a post-deposition annealing at 600°C for 1 h in air. The grain of thin film was evenly distributed. The thin films exhibit the designed optical transmission, while the optical transition is indirect in nature. Their optical band gap is about 2.5 eV.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of dense and porous PZT films prepared by sol-gel method

PZT films with different microstructure and Zr:Ti ratios were fabricated on ITO/glass and platinized silicon wafer substrates by dip-coating. A dense film of 2% porosity and a porous film of 19% porosity were obtained by repetition of thin and thick coatings, respectively. Development of pores during heating the film was examined and heating process factors were investigated. In the film fabricated on ITO/glass substrates, an existence of non-perovskite and low permittivity layer was confirmed by measurement of film thickness dependence of the dielectric constant. Among the films studied, the film with molar composition of Ti:Zr = 5:5 exhibited the largest dielectric constant and apparent piezoelectric coefficient, d ₃₃, though the values were small. Apparent piezoelectric coefficients of d ₃₃ and g ₃₃ of the porous films were larger than those of the dense films.     

Comparison of optical and structural properties of nanostructure TiO2 thin film doped by Sn and Nb

The thin films of TiO₂ doped by Sn or Nb were prepared by sol–gel method under process control. The effects of Sn and Nb doping on the structural, optical and photo-catalytic properties of applied thin films have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) high resolution transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. Surface chemical state of thin films was examined by atomic X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. XRD results suggest that adding impurities has a great effect on the crystallinity and particle size of TiO₂. Titania rutile phase formation in thin film was promoted by Sn⁴⁺ addition but was inhibited by Nb⁵⁺ doping. The activity of the photocatalyst was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation kinetics of aqueous methylene blue under UV and Visible radiation. The results show that the photocatalytic activity of the Sn-doped TiO₂ thin film have a larger degradation efficiency than Nb-doped TiO₂ under visible light, but under UV light photocatalytic activity of the Nb-doped TiO₂ thin film is better.     

ITO films on glass substrate by sol–gel technique: synthesis,characterization and optical properties

The present paper extensively demonstrates synthesis, characterization and optical properties of semiconductor indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films on glass substrate using sol–gel technique for gas sensor applications. Turbidity, pH values, wettability and rheological properties of the prepared solutions were measured to determine solution characteristics by turbidimeter, pH meter, contact angle goniometer and rheometer machines prior to coating process. Thermal, structural, microstructural, mechanical and optical properties of the coatings were characterized by differential thermal analysis–thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), fourier transform infrarared, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, scratch tester, refractometer and spectrophotometer. Four different solutions were prepared by changing solvent concentration. Turbidity, pH, contact angle and viscosity values of the solutions were convenient for coating process. Glass substrates were coated using the solutions of InCl₃, SnCl₂, methanol and glacial acetic acid. The obtained gel films were dried at 300 °C for 10 min and subsequently heat-treated at 500 °C for 10 min in air. The oxide thin films were annealed at 600 °C for 60 min in air. DTA/TG results revealed that endothermic and exothermic reactions are observed at temperature between 70 and 560 °C due to solvent removal, combustion of carbon based materials and oxidation of Sn and In. The spectrum of ITO precursor film annealed at 500–600 °C shows an absence of absorption bands corresponding to organics and hydroxyls. In₂Sn₂O_7−x phase was dominantly found as well as SnO₂ with low intensity from XRD patterns. It was found that surface morphologies of the film change from coating island with homogeneous structures to regular surface and thinner film structures with increasing solvent concentration. The films prepared from the solutions with 8 mL methanol have better adhesion strength to the glass substrate among other coatings. Refractive index, thickness and band gap of ITO thin films were determined to be 1.3171, 0.625 μm and 3.67, respectively.     

Electrical,optical, and structural characterization of p‐type N‐doped SnO thin films prepared by thermal oxidation of sputtered SnNx thin films

We present a study of electrical and optical properties of nitrogen‐doped tin oxide thin films deposited on glass by the DC Magnetron Sputtering method. The deposition conditions to obtain p‐type thin films were a relative partial pressure between 7% and 11% (N₂ and/or O₂), a total working pressure of 1.8 mTorr and a plasma power of 30 W. The deposited thin films were oxidized after annealing at 250°C for 30 minutes. X‐ray diffraction results showed that the as‐deposited thin films exhibit a Sn tetragonal structure, and after annealing, they showed SnO tetragonal structure. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed the presence of nitrogen in the samples before and after annealing. The measured physical parameters of the thin films were optical band gap between 1.92 and 2.68 eV, resistivity between 0.52 and 5.46 Ωcm, a concentration of p‐type carriers between 10¹⁸ and 10¹⁹ cm^?3, and a Hall mobility between 0.1 and 1.94 cm²V^?1s^?1. These thin films were used to fabricate p‐type thin film transistors.     

不同基底对TiO2和SiO2薄膜的光学性能的影响

采用溶胶-凝胶法分别在K9玻璃、单晶硅和石英玻璃基底上制备了纳米TiO₂和SiO₂薄膜。利用SEM、UV-Vis及反射式椭圆偏振光谱仪对薄膜的微观结构及光学特性进行了表征和分析。结果表明:3种基底中, 单晶硅基底上TiO₂和SiO₂薄膜折射率最大;在非晶态K9玻璃和石英玻璃基底上TiO₂薄膜折射率和透光率差异较大;SiO₂薄膜在非晶态基底上折射率、透光率相近;3种基底上薄膜的折射率和消光系数都有随波长增大而减小的趋势, 同时Cauchy模型能较好的描述单晶硅基底上两种薄膜在400~800 nm波段的光学性能。     

不同基底对TiO2和SiO2薄膜的光学性能的影响

采用溶胶-凝胶法分别在K9玻璃、单晶硅和石英玻璃基底上制备了纳米TiO₂和SiO₂薄膜。利用SEM、UV-Vis及反射式椭圆偏振光谱仪对薄膜的微观结构及光学特性进行了表征和分析。结果表明：3种基底中, 单晶硅基底上TiO₂和SiO₂薄膜折射率最大;在非晶态K9玻璃和石英玻璃基底上TiO₂薄膜折射率和透光率差异较大;SiO₂薄膜在非晶态基底上折射率、透光率相近;3种基底上薄膜的折射率和消光系数都有随波长增大而减小的趋势, 同时Cauchy模型能较好的描述单晶硅基底上两种薄膜在400~800 nm波段的光学性能。     

Elaboration and characterization of La2NiO4+δ powders and thin films via a modified sol–gel process

Polycrystalline thin films of La₂NiO_4+δ have been synthesized on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by dip-coating using a polymeric sol. Crack-free films were obtained after sintering in air at temperatures ranging from 800°C to 1000°C. The microstructure, characterized by SEM, shows the formation of dense polycrystalline films with smooth surface and mean grains size of 140 nm, for films sintered at 1000°C. A correlation between grains size and non-stoichiometry in powders have been made in our processes. The thickness, evaluated for rugosimetry measurements, is thin (80 nm) and is a function of the viscosity of the sol. The higher the thickness, the higher the viscosity. As the non-stoichiometry level is controlled by the oxygen partial pressure, an evolution of non-stoichiometry in thin film has proposed. Then, it is possible by modifying synthesis and processing parameters to prepare thin films with a controlled microstructure (thickness, porosity and non-stoichiometry).