Multifunctional Optical Device with a Continuous Tunability over 500 nm Spectral Range Using Polymerized Cholesteric Liquid Crystals.

We report that polymerization makes a robust, practically applicable multifunctional optical device with a continuous wavelength tunable over 500 nm spectral range using UV-polymerizable cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs). It can be used as a circular polarizer generating an extremely high degree of circularly polarized light with |g| = 1.85~2.

Continuously tunable optical notch filter and band-pass filter systems that cover the visible to near-infrared spectral ranges.

Spatially continuous tunable optical notch and band-pass filter systems that cover the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) spectral ranges from ∼460  nm to ∼1,000  nm are realized by combining left- and right-handed circular cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) wedge cells with continuous pitch gradient. The notch filter system is polarization independent in all of the spectral ranges. The band-pass filter system, when the left- and right-handed CLCs are arranged in a row, is polarization independent, while when they are arranged at right angles, they are polarization dependent; furthermore, the full-width at half-maximum of the band-pass filter can be changed reversibly from the original bandwidth of 36 nm to 16 nm.

Active thermal fine laser tuning in a broad spectral range and optical properties of cholesteric liquid crystal.

In this study, we achieved active fine laser tuning in a broad spectral range with dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal wedge-type cells through temperature control. The spatial pitch gradient of each position of the wedge cell at room temperature was almost maintained after developing a temperature gradient. To achieve the maximum tuning range, the chiral dopant concentration, thickness, thickness gradient, and temperature gradient on the wedge cell should be matched properly.

Optical Properties of Laser Lines and Fluorescent Spectrum in Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Laser.

We experimentally studied the comprehensive optical properties of the laser lines and fluorescent spectrum generated by a continuous tunable cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) laser array. We found that the laser lines generated from a CLC with a right-handed circular helix were right-handed circular polarized and laser lines generated from a CLC with a left-handed circular helix were left-handed circular polarized. Inside the photonic band gap, the CLC structure with right-(left-) handed helicity suppressed the fluorescence generated with right (left) circular polarized light, and instead the suppressed right (left) circular polarized light energy moved to the outside of the photonic band gap, so we can say that the fluorescence intensity outside of the photonic band gap is enhanced with right (left) handed circular polarized light.

Firsthand in situ observation of active fine laser tuning by combining a temperature gradient and a CLC wedge cell structure.

In situ direct observation of the lasing process in a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) laser array using a CMOS camera was used to investigate discontinuous laser tuning in a parallel CLC cell. In accordance with the discontinuous pitch change by thermal energy transfer, at the same time the laser wavelength undergoes an immediate and discontinuous shift. And we found out the reason why the CLC phase has domain textures.

Temporal, thermal, and light stability of continuously tunable cholesteric liquid crystal laser array.

Fine-structured polymerized cholesteric liquid crystal (PCLC) wedge laser devices have been realized, with high fine spatial tunability of the lasing wavelength. With resolution less than 0.3 nm in a broad spectral range, more than one hundred laser lines could be obtained in a PCLC cell without extra devices.

Octupolar molecules for nonlinear optics: from molecular design to crystals and films with large second-harmonic generation.

We summarize the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of octupolar molecules, crystals, and films developed in our laboratory. We present the design strategy, structure-property relationship, and second-order NLO properties of 1,3,5-trinitro- and 1,3,5-tricyano-2,4,6-tris(p-diethylaminostyryl)benzene (TTB) derivatives, TTB crystals, and films prepared by free-casting TTB in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The first hyperpolarizability of TTB was fivefold larger than that of the dipolar analogue.

Continuous spatial tuning of laser emissions in a full visible spectral range.

In order to achieve a continuous tuning of laser emission, the authors designed and fabricated three types of cholesteric liquid crystal cells with pitch gradient, a wedge cell with positive slope, a wedge cell with negative slope, and a parallel cell. The length of the cholesteric liquid crystal pitch could be elongated up to 10 nm, allowing the lasing behavior of continuous or discontinuous spatial tuning determined by the boundary conditions of the cholesteric liquid crystal cell. In the wedge cell with positive slope, the authors demonstrated a continuous spatial laser tuning in the near full visible spectral range, with a tuning resolution less than 1 nm by pumping with only a single 355 nm laser beam.

Electro-optic effect in crystalline films of transverse planar octupolar symmetry.

We present theoretical and experimental demonstrations of the electro-optic activity in crystalline molecular thin films with octupolar D(3h) symmetry. Applying a longitudinal electric field modulation within the molecular plane, we analyze the induced refractive index change relative to the orientation of the octupoles in their plane, and show that a maximum value is reached when one octupolar branch lies along the direction of the modulating field. These characteristics, as well as their electric field dependence, are drastically different from more traditional one-dimensional symmetry samples, bringing additional advantages related to electro-optic coupling possibilities.

Continuous spatial tuning of laser emissions with tuning resolution less than 1 nm in a wedge cell of dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystals.

We report the design and fabrication of a wedge structured CLC film incorporating a spatial gradient of a chiral dopant concentration. A continuous spatial laser tuning in the broad visible spectral range with tuning resolution less than 1 nm is demonstrated, which renders a CLC-based micron-sized laser an important continuously tunable laser device.

Photoluminescence characteristics for hybrid nanotubes of light emitting poly(3-methylthiophene) coated with copper: fluorescence effect.

The enhanced nanometer-scale photoluminescence (PL) and quantum yield of hybrid double layered nanotubes (HDLNTs) consisting of a light-emitting poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) nanotube coated with nanometer-scale copper (Cu) metal were observed and presented. The HDLNTs of the Cu coated P3MT (P3MT/Cu) were synthesized through a sequential electrochemical synthetic method in an anodic alumina oxide (Al2O3) nanoporous template. We confirmed that the Cu nanotubes were covered outside the light emitting P3MT nanotubes based a high resolution transmission electron microscope image.

First hyperpolarizabilities of 1,3,5-tricyanobenzene derivatives: origin of larger beta values for the octupoles than for the dipoles.

A series of donor-acceptor substituted stilbene and diphenylacetylene derivatives and their octupolar analogues have been synthesized and the linear and nonlinear optical properties (beta) studied by both experiments and theoretical calculation. The lambda(max) of the dipoles increases with the conjugation length and is always larger when the C=C bond is used, instead of the C[triple bond]C bond, as the conjugation bridge. Although the lambda(max) values of the octupoles show no clear trend, they are much larger than those of the dipoles.

Two-photon absorption properties of 2,6-bis(styryl)anthracene derivatives: effects of donor-acceptor substituents and the pi center.

A series of 2,6- and 2,7-bis(styryl)anthracene derivatives with the donors at the styryl group and acceptors at the 9,10-positions have been synthesized, and their two-photon cross sections (Phidelta(max)) were determined. These compounds exhibit a peak two-photon absorptivity (delta(max)) in the range of 700-2500 GM at 780-1030 nm. Values of lambda(max) and Stokes shifts increase as the acceptor is changed to a stronger one.

Two-photon sensor for metal ions derived from azacrown ether.

A two-photon sensor for the metal ions derived from azacrown ether as the receptor is reported. The sensor emits strong two-photon fluorescence when excited by 800 nm laser photons. Moreover, the binding constants measured by the one- and two-photon fluorescence are similar.

Triphenylamine derivatives with large two-photon cross-sections.

[structure: see text] Triphenylamine derivatives have been synthesized and shown to exhibit large two-photon cross-sections at a wide range of wavelengths and the largest value measured by fs Z-scan experiment. Moreover, a linear relationship is noted between the two-photon cross-sections measured by ns fluorescence and fs Z-scan methods.

2,6-Bis(styryl)anthracene derivatives with large two-photon cross-sections.

The first synthesis of 2,6-bis(styryl)anthrance derivatives with very large two-photon cross sections is reported.

Bis-1,4-(p-diarylaminostryl)-2,5-dicyanobenzene derivatives with large two-photon absorption cross-sections.

Synthesis and physical properties of novel multibranched two-photon materials are reported. The compound with three units of 4-(p-diphenylaminostyryl)-2,5-dicyanostyryl moieties attached to the central triphenylamine core exhibits a very large two-photon absorption cross-section.