Inorganic−Organic Hybrid Nonlinear Optical Films Containing Bulky Alkoxysilane Dyes

Abstract

Two bulky alkoxysilane dyes based on nonlinear optical (NLO)-active triphenylamino derivatives possessing high thermal stabilities, without and with a cyano group substitution on the vinylene moiety (TPAH and TPACN, respectively), were synthesized, characterized, and copolymerized with tetraalkoxysilane (TEOS) with the ratio of 1:5. After a poling and curing process, the resulting side-chain-type sol-gel films with excellent optical qualities were achieved. Second-order NLO coefficients, d33, of 10-20 pm/V have been obtained in the films incorporated with different types of NLO-active dyes. The variation of chromophoric structures on NLO properties was investigated, indicating that the cyano substitution on the vinylene bridge of the chromophore would greatly enhance the temporal stability. This work provides a potential design strategy based on molecular engineering which would lead to more stable dipole orientation.

Optical Properties of Hybrid Organic‐Inorganic Materials and their Applications

“…For instance the thermal behavior and possibility to enhance the second harmonic generation and improve the stability of the optical properties by using covalent grafting to the matrix were investigated. [277,[280][281][282][283][284][285][286][287][288][289][290][291] Several types of chromophores bearing silane groups were proposed (Figure 24). Thermal stability of the nonlinear optical properties were improved by combining covalent bonding of the dyes and hydrogen bonding or by playing with the sterical hindrance.…”

“…Thermal stability of the nonlinear optical properties were improved by combining covalent bonding of the dyes and hydrogen bonding or by playing with the sterical hindrance. [282,283,287] Such interactions were for example obtained by incorporation of aniline-silane in the matrix. [287] Moreover it was shown that the topological localization of the silane groups along the structure and the type of spacer used impacts the NLO properties.…”

Hybrid materials for optics and photonics

“…13). 247 Dendrimer type hybrid materials have also been tested for EO applications; dendronized alkoxysilane dyes (Fig. 14) have been synthesised via the ring opening addition reaction of azetidine-2,4-dione of chromophore-containing dendrons, with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.…”

Preparation of stable second‐order nonlinear optical films by sol–gel technique

“…Over the past few years, hybrid sol–gel films exhibiting second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties have attracted much attention because they offer many advantages such as low optical propagation loss and feasibility of device fabrication. Many organic dyes, such as laser‐active dyes, photochromic dyes, and NLO dyes, have been incorporated in sol–gel matrices to make optical materials 1–4. In this technique, sol–gel precursor polymers have been used in which the NLO active chromophores were attached to silicon atoms by covalent bonds.…”