Polar ordering of reactive chromophores in layer-by-layer nonlinear optical materials
AssigneeVirginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
InventorsKevin Van Cott, James R. Heflin JR., Harry Gibson, Richey M. Davis
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Abstract
Thin films exhibiting second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, as well as materials and methods for producing such films, are provided. The films are formed by depositing, on a substrate, alternate layers of a polyelectrolyte and a low molecular weight chromophore. The chromophore contains an electrophilic group that reacts with a previously deposited polyelectrolyte, and ionizable groups which present absorption sites for the next polyelectrolyte layer. The films find application in, for example, electro-optic modulators and frequency doubling devices.
Claims64
A method of forming a multilayered nonlinear optical material, comprising the steps of:
- a) adsorbing a first species to the surface of a substrate to form a first species layer;
- b) attaching a chromophore to said first species layer to form a first chromophore layer;
- c) adsorbing said first species to said first chromophore layer to form a repeat first species layer;
- and
- d) attaching said chromophore to said repeat first species layer to form a repeat chromophore layer.
A film with high second-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, comprising,
- alternating layers of a polymer or a self-assembled monomer, and
- a low molecular weight chromophore.
A method of forming a multilayered nonlinear optical material, comprising the steps of:
- a) attaching a chromophore to the surface of a substrate to form a first chromophore layer;
- b) adsorbing a first species to said first chromophore layer to form a first species layer;
- c) attaching said chromophore to said first species layer to form a repeat chromophore layer;
- and
- c) adsorbing said first species to said repeat chromophore layer to form a repeat first species layer.
A second order NLO material comprising,
- layers of a chromophore and layers of a polymer, wherein said layers are held together by alternating covalent and non-covalent bonding between layers.
A method of forming a multilayered nonlinear optical material wherein layers of the material are ionically held together, comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a chromophore layer on a surface, said chromophore layer comprising one or more chromophores which contain both first un-ionized and first ionized groups;
- b) reacting said first ionized groups with said surface to ionically attach said chromophores to said surface;
- c) converting said first un-ionized groups of said chromophore layer into second ionized groups by altering pH conditions;
- d) adsorbing a polymer onto said chromophore layer by ionic bonding to said second ionized groups;
- and
- e) repeating steps a-d a plurality of times.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.