Organic Non-Linear Optics

Conjugated organic materials can show remarkable nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, which are needed in applications such as electro-optic switching devices and wavelength conversion of laser light. In close collaboration with several renowned synthesis groups, we study organic and organometallic molecules, primarily by means of the hyper-Rayleigh scattering (= second harmonic light scattering) technique, in order to design optimised NLO materials. Besides second-order NLO, we are currently also particularly interested in the resonant third-order process of two-photon absorption, which finds applications in three-dimensional imaging and microfabrication.