High-contrast photoswitching of nonlinear optical response in crosslinked ferroelectric liquid-crystalline polymers.

Priimagi, Arri; Ogawa, Keiji; Virkki, Matti; Mamiya, Jun-Ichi; Kauranen, Martti; Shishido, Atsushi · Adv Mater · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A conceptually novel materials design, based on crosslinked ferroelectric liquid-crystalline polymers, is demonstrated for efficient switching of a second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) response in the solid state. By controlling the molecular alignment of the NLO moieties through two-photon isomerization of azobenzene molecules, reversible isothermal photocontrol of second-harmonic generation is achieved with contrast of up to 20.

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