Effect of end substitution on optical properties and molecular orientation of distyrylbenzene derivatives in thin film

Three distyrylbenzene (DSB) derivatives were vacuum-evaporated on a (001) surface of KBr. DSB derivative molecules formed nuclei by interaction between the electron donative methoxyl group and Br- ion of the substrate crystal and oriented their longitudinal axis obliquely to the substrate surface. The peak shift between the emission peaks of solution and film decreased depending on the number of substituent. This phenomenon was originated to reduction of molecular interaction between neighboring molecules by steric hindrance of end substituents. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

Theoretical studies of nonlinear optical properties of compounds K(4)Ln(2)(CO3)(3)F-4 (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd)

K(4)Ln(2)(CO3)(3)F-4 (Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) is a special type of frequency doubling compound, whose crystal structure exhibits a scarcity of fluorine ions. This leads to two different coordination polyhedrons in the general position of K(2) atoms: [K(2)O6F(1)(2)F(2)] and [K(21)O6F(1)(2)] in a 2/1 ratio. The chemical bonding structures of all constituent atoms of the compound K4Gd2(CO3)(3)F-4 (KGCOF) are comprehensively studied; moreover, the relationship between the chemical bonding structure and the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties is investigated from the chemical bond viewpoint. The theoretical prediction of the NLO tensor coefficient d(11) of KGCOF is in agreement with experimental observation. Theoretical analyses show that the nonlinearity of this crystal type mainly originates from K-O bonds. In addition, the correlation between the NLO tensor d(11) and the refractive index n(0) of KGCOF is discussed. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(00)07506-X].

Calculation of second-order nonlinear optical coefficients of KTiOPO4 and KTiOAsO4

The second-order nonlinear optical tensor coefficients of both KTiOPO4 (KTP) and KTiOAsO4 (KTA) are calculated from the chemical bond viewpoint. All constituent chemical bonds of both crystals are considered, and contributions of each type of bond to the total linearity and nonlinearity are determined. Calculated results agree satisfactorily with experimental data in both signs and numerical values. The calculation shows that though TiO6 groups and P(1)O-4 or As(1)O-4 groups have relatively larger linear contributions, they can only produce an advantageous environment for KOx (x = 8, 9) groups and P(2)O-4 or As(2)O-4 groups in nonlinear optical contributions. The origin of nonlinearity of KTP family crystals comes from the KOx (x = 8, 9) and P(2)O-4 groups in their crystal structures. Furthermore, the difference in optical nonlinearities of KTP type crystals is analyzed, based on the detailed calculation of nonlinearities of both KTP and KTA. (C) 1999 Academic Press.

Structure and non-linear optical properties of beta-barium borate

The non-linear optical (NLO) properties of crystalline beta-BaB2O4 (beta-barium borate, BBO) have been investigated from the chemical bond viewpoint. The contributions of each type of chemical bond to the total NLO coefficient have been quantitatively determined. The calculations indicate that the true space group of BBO is R3 rather than R3c.

Synthesis and properties of two series of H-bonded and non-H-bonded thermotropic liquid crystal monomers

Two series of monomers, namely n-1-bromo-(4-(4-nitrophenylazo)phenyloxy]alkanes (Bn, n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) and N-n-[4-(4-nitrophenylazo)phenyloxy]alkyl diethanolamines (Cn, n = 3, 5, 6, 10), were synthesized and characterized. Their thermal behaviour was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X-ray diffractometry (WAXD) and polarizing optical microscopy (POM) equipped with a hot stage. The results showed that the Bns (n greater than or equal to 6) exhibit monotropic nematic liquid crystalline behaviour; no liquid crystalline phase was found for the Bns (n < 6), while for the Cns, enantiotropic smectic liquid crystallinity for n = 5, 6, 10 was seen, and for n = 3 monotropic smectic phases were found. This different phase behaviour between Bn and Cn compounds is attributed to their different end groups. The FTIR analysis of Cn indicated that there exists an intermolecular hydrogen bond between hydroxy groups, so that more stable liquid crystalline phase are formed. The effect of the length of the flexible chain on the thermal behaviour is also discussed.

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of KNbO3

Linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of KNbO3 in various phases are calculated from their crystal structures. Nonlinear optical tensor coefficients are found to be very sensitive to the atomic geometry, changing as much as 85% between the ferroelectric tetragonal and rhombohedral phases. The predicted principal refractive indices are also found to be sensitive to their structural changes. In the tetragonal phase KNbO3 has the largest NLO responses, in the orthorhombic phase KNbO3 has the relative larger NLO coefficients, and in the rhombohedral structure KNbO3 has the large and homogeneous NLO properties. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Calculation of nonlinear optical properties of KNdP4O12

The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) tensor coefficients of KNdP4O12 (KNP) are theoretically predicted from its crystal structural data, by using the chemical bond theory of complex crystals and the modified bond charge model. Linear and nonlinear optical contributions of each type of bond to the total linearity (chi) and nonlinearity (d(ij)) of KNP are quantitatively determined. The structure-property relationship of KNP is systematically investigated, from the chemical bond viewpoint. Based on the discussion of its structural modifications, we point out that NLO properties of I(NP can be improved effectively using the doping method. Theoretical predictions show KNP to be a promising: self-frequency-doubling laser material.

Nonlinear optical properties of (B3O7)(5-) and (B3O6)(3-) groups

From the chemical bond viewpoint, LiB3O5 (LBO) crystal has been studied by using the bond valence theory of complex crystals. Chemical bond parameters and linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of each type of constituent chemical bonds are quantitatively determined. Because of the different crystal structure characteristics of LBO from those of beta-BaB2O4 (BBO), the two anionic groups, (B3O7)(5-) in LBO and (B3O6)(3-) in BBO, play different roles in contributions to their own total NLO tensor coefficients of LBO and BBO, respectively. By comparison, we find that planar (B3O6)(3-) groups are the ideal structure model, leading to little cancellation of contributions of each kind of bond in these groups, and this gives us a useful guide to design new NLO materials in the future.

Comparison of non-linear optical susceptibilities of KNbO3 and LiNbO3

From the chemical bond viewpoint, second-order non-linear optical (NLO) tenser coefficients of KNbO3 and LiNbO3 crystals have been calculated. By using the bond-valence theory of complex crystals and the modified bond-charge model, we were able to determine contributions of each type of constituent chemical bond to the total second-order NLO susceptibility. The tenser values thus calculated are in good agreement with experimental data. From the comparison of NLO tenser coefficients of these two crystals, we found that the major NLO contributors are KO12 groups and LiO6 octahedra not the distorted NbO6 octahedra. The difference between their NLO properties arises from their different structural characters, and the high coordination number of constituent elements in KNbO3 makes its valence electrons become more delocalised compared with those of LiNbO3. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical bond analysis of nonlinearity of urea crystal

A novel and quantitative study on structure-property relationships has been carried out in urea crystal, based on the dielectric theory of complex crystals and the modified Levine bond charge model, mainly from the chemical bond viewpoint. For the first time, it was treated like this, and the bond parameters and linear and nonlinear characteristics of constituent chemical bonds were presented quantitatively. The theoretical result agrees satisfactorily with the experimental datum and can reasonably explain the nonlinear origin of urea crystal, that is, the C-N bond in the conjugated system of bonds O double left arrow C<--N-H. At the same time, the novel method should be a useful tool toward the future development of the search for new nonlinear optical (NLO) materials in the organic crystal field.

SYNTHESIS OF A NEW CHIRAL LIQUID-CRYSTAL WITH SCHIFF-BASE GROUP AND INVESTIGATION OF TEMPERATURE-DEPENDING FTIR SPECTRA

A new chiral liquid crystal with Schiff base group has been prepared, The structure of liquid crystal was confirmed by elementary analyses and H-1 NMR. Its phase transition was investigated by polarized optical microscope, DSC and temperature-depending FTIR spectra. The results showed that the chiral Schiff base showed monotropic phases behavior in certain temperature range, the phase sequence is I-N-*-S-B-S-G-K on the cooling sequence.

STUDY ON ION-IMPLANTATION OF EUROPIUM INTO CAF2 SINGLE-CRYSTAL

CaF_2 single crystal is very useful as optical host materials. It has been systematically studied and widely used in thermoluminescence that rare earth ions were doped into CaF_2 single crystal with chemical methods. However, the ion implan-

PHOTOREFRACTIVE CRYSTAL-BASED ACOUSTO-OPTIC IMAGING IN THE NEAR-INFRARED AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Acousto-optic (AO) sensing and imaging (AOI) is a dual-wave modality that combines ultrasound with diffusive light to measure and/or image the optical properties of optically diffusive media, including biological tissues such as breast and brain. The light passing through a focused ultrasound beam undergoes a phase modulation at the ultrasound frequency that is detected using an adaptive interferometer scheme employing a GaAs photorefractive crystal (PRC). The PRC-based AO system operating at 1064 nm is described, along with the underlying theory, validating experiments, characterization, and optimization of this sensing and imaging apparatus. The spatial resolution of AO sensing, which is determined by spatial dimensions of the ultrasound beam or pulse, can be sub-millimeter for megahertz-frequency sound waves.A modified approach for quantifying the optical properties of diffuse media with AO sensing employs the ratio of AO signals generated at two different ultrasound focal pressures. The resulting “pressure contrast signal” (PCS), once calibrated for a particular set of pressure pulses, yields a direct measure of the spatially averaged optical transport attenuation coefficient within the interaction volume between light and sound. This is a significant improvement over current AO sensing methods since it produces a quantitative measure of the optical properties of optically diffuse media without a priori knowledge of the background illumination. It can also be used to generate images based on spatial variations in both optical scattering and absorption. Finally, the AO sensing system is modified to monitor the irreversible optical changes associated with the tissue heating from high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, providing a powerful method for noninvasively sensing the onset and growth of thermal lesions in soft tissues. A single HIFU transducer is used to simultaneously generate tissue damage and pump the AO interaction. Experimental results performed in excised chicken breast demonstrate that AO sensing can identify the onset and growth of lesion formation in real time and, when used as feedback to guide exposure parameters, results in more predictable lesion formation.

Hollow core photonic crystal fibre as a viscosity and Raman sensor

This PhD thesis investigates the application of hollow core photonic crystal fibre for use as an optical fibre nano litre liquid sensor. The use of hollow core photonic crystal fibre for optical fibre sensing is influenced by the vast wealth of knowledge, and years of research that has been conducted for optical waveguides. Hollow core photonic crystal fibres have the potential for use as a simple, rapid and continuous sensor for a wide range of applications. In this thesis, the velocity of a liquid flowing through the core of the fibre (driven by capillary forces) is used for the determination of the viscosity of a liquid. The structure of the hollow core photonic crystal fibre is harnessed to collect Raman scatter from the sample liquid. These two methods are integrated to investigate the range of applications the hollow core photonic crystal fibre can be utilised for as an optical liquid sensor. Understanding the guidance properties of hollow core photonic crystal fibre is forefront in dynamically monitoring the liquid filling. When liquid is inserted fully or selectively to the capillaries, the propagation properties change from photonic bandgap guidance when empty, to index guidance when the core only is filled and finally to a shifted photonic bandgap effect, when the capillaries are fully filled. The alterations to the guidance are exploited for all viscosity and Raman scattering measurements. The concept of the optical fibre viscosity sensor was tested for a wide range of samples, from aqueous solutions of propan-1-ol to solutions of mono-saccharides in phosphate buffer saline. The samples chosen to test the concept were selected after careful consideration of the importance of the liquid in medical and industrial applications. The Raman scattering of a wide range of biological important fluids, such as creatinine, glucose and lactate were investigated, some for the first time with hollow core photonic crystal fibre.

Biosensors using photonic crystal fibres

In this thesis, we present the unique properties of hollow-core photonic crystal fibres (HC-PCFs) for sensing applications in terms of viscosity detection and DNA sensing using a special poly(ethylene) glycol (PEGDA) hydrogel. The low loss HC-PCFs ensure a long interaction length between the sample and the optical signals. Thus in this thesis, we report the characterisation of filled HC-PCFs and the development of a selective filling process. For the first time, we report the investigation of a new viscometer device, and a new device for DNA sensing development, and also the chemical process for hydrogel growth was adapted to the fibres. By combining HC-PCFs with the hydrogel we enable 3D volumetric sample confinement within the HC-PCF, further increasing the interaction between the sample and the optical signal. However, the hydrogel has a large influence on the guidance properties of the HC-PCF and the HC-PCF has a strong influence on the growth process for the hydrogel itself. When we integrate the hydrogel and HC-PCFs we detect concentration levels as low as 400 nM of labelled DNA. However, using our technology for fluorescence detection we can achieve results two orders of magnitude better than those previously reported.