Abstract

The LB technique allows optical chromophores to be placed within a predetermined series of organic molecular layers. Moreover, the orientations of the chromophores can be controlled when they are positioned in the apolar tail sections of the amphiphiles that are used. The fragility, the tendency to reorganise and even the diffusion mobility of dyes included in an LB film may be greatly reduced if polymeric materials are used. In addition to thermal and mechanical stability, polymers offer an amorphous structure in the plane of the film layers with a reduction in optical scatter relative to monomer films of materials such as fatty acids[1].

© 1995 Optical Society of America