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A novel organic-inorganic hybrid based on cystamine and BiI5chains is prepared. Due to the flexibility of the disulfide molecules in the structure, single crystals or crystalline thin films of this hybrid undergo a reversible acentric-to-centric structural transition at moderate conditions (T = 36.8 °C). This makes the title compound an excellent candidate for temperature controlled SHG or THG switches.

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International audienceNovel photoresponsive materials based on ruthenium(II) σ-acetylides coupled to an azobenzene moiety in the main π-conjugated chain have been synthesized. The introduction of a metal acetylide fragment in the same conjugated chain as the azobenzene induces the trans-cis-trans isomerization of the azo unit, while the rate of the thermal cis → trans back isomerization increases with increasing overall electron richness of these compounds. These azobenzene-containing ruthenium(II) acetylides show satisfactory processability and give rise to spin-coated uniform thin films. Formation of surface-relief gratings on their amorphous thin films and in a PMMA polymer matrix using a picosecond pulsed laser at 532 nm results in instantaneous inscription: saturation of the first order diffraction efficiency and of the modulation amplitude of gratings were obtained in less than 1 s, while the orientation of these azodyes remains unchanged for up to 6 months

Dynamic measurements of detonation velocity profiles are performed using long Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings (CFBGs). Such thin probes, with a diameter of typically 150 µm, are inserted directly into a high explosive sample or simply positioned laterally. During the detonation, the width of the reflected optical spectrum is continuously reduced by the propagation of the wave-front, which physically shortens the CFBG. The reflected optical intensity delivers a ramp down signal type, which is directly related to the detonation velocity profile. Experimental detonation velocity measurements were performed on the side of three different high explosives (TNT, B2238 and V401) in a bare cylindrical stick configuration (diameter: 2 inches, height: 10 inches). The detonation velocity range covered was 6800 to 9000 m/s. The extraction of the detonation velocity profiles requires a careful calibration of the system and of the CFBG used. A calibration procedure was developed, with the support of optical simulations, to cancel out the optical spectrum distortions from the different optical components and to determine the wavelength-position transfer function of the CFBG in a reproducible way. The 40-mm long CFBGs were positioned within the second half of the three high explosive cylinders. The excellent linearity of the computed position-time diagram confirms that the detonation was established for the three high explosives. The fitted slopes of the position-time diagram give detonation velocity values which are in very good agreement with the classical measurements obtained from discrete electrical shorting pins.

We have revealed a substantial enhancement of third-order optical figure of merits by the synthesis of a compact molecule possessing the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) group with two backside C=O groups. Addition of the saturated methylene chain substantially suppresses the third-order optical figure of merits and even local optical hyperpolarizabilities at lambda = 532 nm. Another TTF-derivative molecule possessing ethylenic and acetylenic chains demonstrates large hyperpolarizabilities; however, generally, the figure of merit factor decreases due to the increasing optical losses as a consequence of enhanced linear absorption. At the same time, both of the chromophores have a large nonlinear optical response. General approaches for search and design of the third-order optical materials with improved properties are given.

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We report the preparation of microcrystalline ZnO thin films on sapphire substrates using a simple method based on the thermal evaporation of metallic Zn in vacuum with further annealing process. The aim of annealing in the oxygen atmosphere in the range of 800–850°C was to obtain the high quality ZnO films. The surface morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The polycrystalline films with ZnO microrods at different stages of their growth were investigated. Second and third harmonic generation measurements were performed by means of the rotational Maker fringe technique using Nd:YAG laser at 1064nm in picosecond regime. The obtained values of second and third order nonlinear susceptibilities were found to be high enough for the potential applications of the investigated materials in the optical switching devices based on refractive index changes.