Improved Prediction of the Optical Properties of Coupled Chromophores for Electro-Optics
Abstract
Much time and energy has been spent optimizing organic electro-optic (OEO) chromophores at the single molecule level for use in optoelectronics, optical data processing, and telecommunications. This optimization has led to the design of new donor and acceptor groups and a resulting substantial increase in molecular second-order polarizability, or hyperpolarizability ?. Desire for increasing the molecular second hyperpolarizability, ?, responsible for third order optical nonlinearities, is also of interest for maximizing the intensity dependent refractive index (optical Kerr effect). However, these nonlinear optical (NLO) molecular improvements do not necessarily translate into the same significant progress at the macroscopic level. This disappointing progress is due to our lack of understanding of how the electro-optical properties that are so carefully engineered at the single molecule level change as the chromophores are packed closely together. Dipole coupling between chromophores may be so strong that, even with techniques such as electric field poling, they pack in an anti-parallel fashion that washes out most of the electro-optic effects. The next generation of OEO chromophores should be optimized not at the single molecule level but instead for their properties upon inclusion in a practical material. This feat requires understanding the structure of chromophores when packed together and the electro-optical properties of these coupled chromophores. Modeling of these chromophores and their properties will provide molecular level understanding of how structure and electronics determine bulk behavior. This new knowledge can transform understanding of chromophore design for improved performance in EO devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 20, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1092422
Entities
People
- Christine M. Isborn
Organizations
- University of California