Ultrafast frequency-selective optical switching based on thin self-assembled organic chromophoric films with a large second-order nonlinear response

Thin films consisting of self-assembled chromophoric superlattices exhibit very large second-order nonlinear responses [chi((2))]. Using such films, a "static" diffraction grating is created by the interference of two coherent infrared beams from a pulsed yttritium-aluminum-garnet laser. This grating is used to switch the second-harmonic and third-harmonic "signal" beams (generated from the fundamental "pump" beam or mixed within the chromophoric superlattice) into different channels (directions). Ultrafast switching response as a function of the time overlap of the pumping beams is demonstrated. It is suggested that such devices can be used to spatially and temporally separate signal trains consisting of pulses having different frequencies and arrival times. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.