Fine-tuning photorefractive properties of monolithic molecular materials

Single component photorefractive materials based on small molecules have been synthesized. The sidechains located in the electron-withdrawing group of these molecules were systematically changed in order to investigate their influence. It was demonstrated that the photorefractive performance of these materials could be fine-tuned by changing the length of the sidechain. Excellent optical quality and photorefractive properties were obtained. A large net optical gain of 280 cm(-1) at a low external field (38.3 V/mum) and a diffraction efficiency of 82% were observed at 780 nm. The results indicate that an optimum sidechain length exists for this type of molecules. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.