Nonlinear Optical Responsive Molecular Switches

Abstract

Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have gained much attention during the last two decades owing to their potentiality in the field of optical data storage, optical information processing, optical switching, and telecommunication. NLO responsive macroscopic devices possess extensive applications in our day to day life. Such devices are considered as assemblies of several macroscopic components designed to achieve specific functions. The extension of this concept to the molecular level forms the basis of molecular devices. In this context, the design of NLO switches, that is, molecules characterized by their ability to alternate between two or more chemical forms displaying contrasts in one of their NLO properties, has motivated many experimental and theoretical works. Thus, this chapter focuses on the rational design of molecular NLO switches based on stimuli and materials with extensive examples reported in the literature. The factors affecting the efficiency of optical switches are discussed. The device fabrication of optical switches and their efficiency based on the optical switch, internal architecture, and substrate materials are described. In the end, applications of switches and future prospectus of designing new molecules with references are suitably discussed.

Nonlinear Optical Materials: Predicting the First-Order Molecular Hyperpolarizability of Organic Molecular Structures

“…Due to the evolution of optical communication networks, the search and development of novel compounds with NLO performance have significant importance in improving this field [8,20,21]. For example, frequency optical converters are one of the main components of optical multiplexing [22][23][24]. Another area taking advantage of the optical frequency conversion is the biological field, in which incoherent SHG and third harmonic generation (THG) are being used to improve imaging diagnostics [25][26][27][28].…”

Nonlinear Optical Properties and Phototunable Absorption of a Substituted Dihydroazulene–Vinylheptafulvene Pair of Photochromes

“…Over the last three decades, scientists have paid more attention to molecular photoswitches because they are used in a wide range of fields, such as nonlinear optics (NLO), − memory devices, , liquid crystals, − electromagnetic switches, − synthetic ion channels, , photopharmacology, biological processes, etc. In addition, a significant number of complicated devices, including encoder–decoder, half adder, − and logic gates, can be designed based on photoswitches.…”

A new class of third-order nonlinear optical materials: laser pulse-duration dependant saturable absorption and nonlinear refraction in platinum(ii) diimine-dithiolate complexes

“…In particular, no studies were reported on saturable absorption (SA) and nonlinear refraction (NLR), 37 despite possible applications to optical limiting 38 and switching. 39 Given the unique optical properties of [Pt(N^N)(S^S)] systems and the ongoing search for new NLO materials with third-order nonlinear absorption and refraction properties, the investigation of SA and NLR in platinum diimine-dithiolate complexes was undertaken, and their potential as a new class of third-order NLO materials was assessed. In particular, herein we report on the synthesis, characterization, and thirdorder NLO properties of a series of [Pt(N^N)(S^S)] complexes featuring 5,6-dihydro-1,4-dithiin-2,3-dithiolate (dddt 2− ) or 6,7dihydro-5H-1,4-dithiepin-2,3-dithiolate ( pddt 2− ) as S^S ligands, along with 1,10-phenanthroline ( phen) or 2,2′-bipiridine (bipy) as N^N derivatives.…”

“…In particular, no studies were reported on saturable absorption (SA) and nonlinear refraction (NLR), 37 despite possible applications to optical limiting 38 and switching. 39…”