Organic Materials for Non-Linear Optics: The 2D Approach

Abstract

Conventional organic molecules for applications in second-order non-linear optics are donor–acceptor substituted π systems that show only one intense charge-transfer (CT) transition. Thus, only a single element of the second-order polarizability tensor, β, is significant in these one-dimensional systems. The advantages and optimization strategies for two new classes of molecules with multiple CT transitions and two-dimensional second-order polarizability are reviewed. These are donor–acceptor substituted π systems that lack a dipole and have a molecular symmetry of C3 or higher, and dipolar molecules of symmetry C2v. A basic introduction to the field is also given.