Issue 27, 2015

Nonlinear optical response of photochromic azobenzene-functionalized self-assembled monolayers

Abstract

The combination of photochromic and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of azobenzene-functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) constitutes an intriguing step towards novel photonic and optoelectronic devices. By utilizing the second-order NLO process of second harmonic generation (SHG), supported by density-functional theory and correlated wave function method calculations, we demonstrate that the photochromic interface provides the necessary prerequisites en route towards possible future technical applications: we find a high NLO contrast on the order of 16% between the switching states. These are furthermore accessible reversibly and with high efficiencies in terms of cross sections on the order of 10−18 cm2 for both photoisomerization reactions, i.e., drivable by means of low-power LED light sources. Finally, both photostationary states (PSSs) are thermally stable at ambient conditions.

Graphical abstract: Nonlinear optical response of photochromic azobenzene-functionalized self-assembled monolayers

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 May 2015
Accepted
18 Jun 2015
First published
18 Jun 2015
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015,17, 18079-18086

Nonlinear optical response of photochromic azobenzene-functionalized self-assembled monolayers

M. Schulze, M. Utecht, T. Moldt, D. Przyrembel, C. Gahl, M. Weinelt, P. Saalfrank and P. Tegeder, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 18079 DOI: 10.1039/C5CP03093E

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements