Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 8: Photonics 1

Q 8.7: Talk

Monday, March 14, 2011, 12:00–12:15, SCH A215

z-Scan Characterization of Zwitterionic Chromophores for Optoelectronic Switching — •Ulrich Skrzypczak¹, Grant V. M. Williams², Stefaan Janseens², M. Delower H. Bhuiyan², Manuela Miclea¹, and Stefan Schweizer^1,3 — ¹Centre for Innovation Competence SiLi-nano^®, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Karl-Freiherr-von-Fritsch-Str. 3, 06120 Halle (Saale) — ²Industrial Research Ltd., P.O. Box 31310, Lower Hutt 5040, New Zealand — ³Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics, Walter-Hülse-Str. 1, 06120 Halle (Saale)

Materials with high nonlinear optical (NLO) susceptibilities are being actively researched for a range applications that include optical switches, reconfigurable add/drop multiplexers, wavelength switching devices, and THz emitters and detectors. Devices using conventional solid-state compounds are frequently limited by their high power requirements caused by their relatively weak NLO response. In contrast, organic chromophores can provide a NLO response that is several orders of magnitude larger. A number of NLO chromophores have recently been synthesized and optimized for a large 2nd order NLO figure of merit. However, the 3rd order NLO response is not known. For this reason, 3rd order NLO experiments have been performed on films containing amorphous polycarbonate and zwitterionic chromophores. The NLO refractive index and the two-photon absorption coefficient were determined by analyzing the results from z-scan measurements. The 3rd order NLO figure of merit is comparable to that of organic compounds specifically optimized for a NLO refractive index.