Abstract

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method is a potentially powerful tool to make specifically designed molecular edifices for nonlinear optical applications, since it combines the tailorability of organic synthesis with a wide choice of molecular arrangements. In particular, the most- interesting application of LB films is in nonlinear optical waveguides. We report here second and third order nonlinearities of LB films fabricated with a new class of organosilicone compounds synthesized in our laboratory. These compounds contain chromophores with very large molecular hyperpolarizabilities and exhibit robust thermal, chemical, mechanical and optical properties. These films bond chemically onto glass and quartz substrates. Individual molecular layer can be polymerized to form a continuous two dimensional polymer film. Micronmeter-thick films with good optical quality can be readily formed. Second and third order nonlinearities of monolayers and multilayer structures of these LB films have been studied by second and third harmonic generations. The results will be discussed in terms of molecular structures and arrangements.

© 1988 Optical Society of America