Abstract

DHAQ, an amine-substituted anthraqui-none, has been studied as a nonlinear, optically active (NLO) material. Theoretical studies have shown that delocalized π-elec- trons associated with the parent anthraqui- none ring system produce resonant as well as nonresonant nonlinear optical signals, both for DHAQ and other molecules belonging to this class of amine-substituted compounds. Incorporating DHAQ into a suitable host- matrix material has been studied to take advantage of the spatial polarization of the strongπ→π^* electronic transitions in the parent anthraquinone ring system. A detailed model is presented of the electronic environment created for the DHAQ-host matrix composite material. The absorption spectrum for DHAQ alone has an intense "Q-band" structure (between 575 nm and 725 nm) as well as an extremely strong Sorile-band structure in the near-ultraviolet region. However, the Nπ→π^* transitions responsible for the Q-bands and nonresonant NLO interactions are strongly perturbed by some host environments. Effects produced by a host environment on the nonresonant NLO signals produced by DHAQ in the 800-900 nm region will be presented. Suitability of various host materials for use as waveguide materials will be discussed in terms of their optical properties in the visible as well as near-infrared regions.

© 1990 Optical Society of America