Third-harmonic generation performance of organic polymer films doped with triphenylmethane derivative dyes

• Published in: Optical materials 2007-02, Vol.29 (6), p.636-641
• Main Authors: Ramos-Ortiz, G., Maldonado, J.L., Meneses-Nava, M.A., Barbosa-García, O., Olmos, M., Cha, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Frequency conversion; harmonic generation, including high-order harmonic generation; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Maker-Fringes; Nonlinear optics; Octupolar; Optical elements, devices, and systems; Optical materials; Optical processors, correlators, and modulators; Optical susceptibility, hyperpolarizability; Optics; Organic materials; Physics; Polymers and organics; Third-harmonic generation
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2005.11.010

We report on third-order nonlinear properties of triphenylmethane derivative dyes by measuring third-harmonic generation (THG) for fundamental wavelengths within the range 1100–1800 nm. Our studies show that the triphenylmethane dyes Crystal Violet and Ethyl Violet, with a multidirectional charge transfer in their three-fold symmetry structure (octupolar dimensionality), exhibit a third-order nonlinear susceptibility of the order χ (3) ∼ 10 −12 esu when are used as dopants in polymer films. These films, with low residual absorption and anomalous refractive index dispersion for harmonic wavelengths, exhibit efficient THG as a bulk effect. The films are good candidates for ultra-fast optical correlators.