The influence of photosensitizers on the photorefractivity in poly[methyl-3-(9-carbazolyl)propylsiloxane]-based composites

We investigated the photosensitizers effect on the photorefractive (PR) properties in five polymethyl-3-(9-carbazolyl)propylsiloxane] (PSX-Cz)-based PR composites which were doped with various photosensitizers having each different electron affinity, such as 2,4,5,7-tetranitro-9H-fluorine-9yilden malonitrile (TeNFM), 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone (TNF), 9-dicyanomethylene-2,4,7-trinitro-fluorenone (TNFM), tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinnodimethane (TCNQ). At 632.8 nm, photo-charge generation efficiencies, photoconductivities, space charge field, four wave mixing diffraction efficiencies, and PR grating buildup times were measured as a function of external electric field. The photo-charge generation, which is dependent on the light absorption, was achieved through the charge transfer (CT) complexes between the PSX-Cz and each of the photosensitizers. The photon energy of the CT transition decreased with increasing electron affinity of the photosensitizer. In composites doped with TeNFM, TNF, and TNFM, the space charge field (E_sc) increased as the photo-charge generation efficiency increased; the grating buildup in these composites is rate-limited by the photo-charge generation speed. In sample doped with TCNE, and TCNQ, the hole mobility was reduced due to the larger amount of photosensitizer anion traps produced by photoreduction of the photosensitizer. Then, the grating buildup speed became hole mobility limited, and smaller buildup rates were observed. The magnitude of space charge field was sustained as the charge and trap density increased. In all composites, the refractive index modulation is increased with the magnitude of space charge field.