Abstract

The most stringent requirement in second-order nonlinear optics is the absence of centrosymmetry. Often, noncentrosymmetry on a macroscopic level is introduced by external means such as electric-field poling or the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Unfortunately, such samples are thermodynamically unstable and therefore their applicability in devices is limited. Furthermore, sample preparation can be quite tedious and time-consuming. Here we show that spincoated films of chiral polymers exhibit good second-order nonlinear optical properties. Instead of using an external force to induce the necessary order, we rely on spontaneous supramolecular aggregation.

© 2003 Optical Society of America