Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a class of materials with unique properties that have attracted significant attention in recent years. Unlike 3D materials, which have bulk properties that are governed by their crystal structure, 2D materials have properties that are strongly influenced by their size and shape. Graphene is perhaps the most well known 2D material due to its exceptional properties. Preparation of 2D materials based on organic molecules is a key-point to obtain devices with original photonics functionalities.
Herein, we focused on 2D materials based on perylene diimide derivatives. Our main goal was to prepare highly oriented 2D materials while also controlling molecular orientations and intermolecular electronic interactions. The consequences on photonics processes will be presented. Moreover, we report preliminary results on the combination of such materials with graphene. Such systems could constitute building blocks for future innovative metamaterials.
In-depth imaging in biology requires the development of bright nonlinear labels (with either fluorescence or frequency conversion properties) which excitation can be done within the transparency window of biological tissues. In this presentation, I will show that, although bulk gold is known to present very low luminescence quantum yield, gold nanorods present a huge 2-photon luminescence with an apparent high influence of the particle volume. After clarifying the role of plasmon in these properties, I will also discuss the interest of taking profit of plasmons to enhance the frequency conversion properties of dielectric nanocrystals.
This Conference Presentation, “Rare-earth ions-doped ferroelectric nanocrystals for optical sensing of electric potential in biological systems,” was recorded at Photonics Europe 2022 held in Strasbourg, France.
The plasmonic properties of individual gold nanowires (NW) have been investigated using both two-photon luminescence (2PL) coupled to atomic force microscopy (AFM) and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) associated to low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM) measurements. Using these complementary near-field characterization techniques, comparative studies between wires made either by colloidal chemistry (CC) or by e-beam lithography (EBL) have been undertaken towards a better understanding of the role of the wires crystallinity regarding its optical properties. Considering comparable excitation conditions, we show that wires made by colloidal synthesis exhibits quite similar field enhancement effects ("hot spots") as EBL NW, however their 2PL emission spectrum clearly reveals their crystalline properties.
Hybrid systems coupling gold nanoparticles to fluorophores have been realized, aiming to investigate the conditions to
get two-photon fluorescence (TPF) enhancement effects through nanoantenna or Purcell effects. The use of gold
nanorods (NR) was chosen : due to their anisotropic form they indeed exhibit two localized surface plasmon resonance
(SPR) modes: one in the visible (associated to the transverse size of the NR) and another in the infrared (associated to
the NR longitudinal size), one key point being the possibility to adjust these two resonances to the optical properties of
the two-photon fluorophores to be further coupled to the NRs (emission λem and excitation λexc wavelengths). Detailed
investigation of the intrinsic NR TPF signal dependence was first considered. Experiments were performed in aqueous
solutions using a Ti-Sapphire laser source emitting 100 fs pulses in the 750-950 nm wavelength range. We observe that
the maximum TPF signal is located at the NR surface plasmon resonance wavelength, pointing the role of field
enhancement effects in the observation of the increased NR TPF. As a next step, the nanoparticles were immobilized
onto previously treated indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates and a method to couple fluorescent molecules (a
polyphenylene vinylene (PPV) derivative) to the previously immobilized NRs was then studied: the so-called layer-by-layer
technique was more particularly investigated in order to control the realization of hybrid systems coupling the
fluorescent PPV polymer and particles at varying distances. In order to perform joint optical and topographic
characterizations, a stand-alone atomic force microscopy (AFM) platform was integrated to our TPF microscopy set-up.
The influence of the number of spacing layers on the TPF of such hybrid systems was studied. First results seem to
indicate the existence of a specific distance allowing TPF enhancement. A more detailed study considering the intensity
and lifetime of such hybrid system is currently under way in order to fully quantify the signal enhancement origin.
The possibility to use the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) for the realization of a highly localized
molecular light source is discussed. Since it is not limited by photodegradation or quenching effects, Second Harmonic
Generation (SHG) appears as a valuable alternative to luminescence. In the case of dipolar approximation however, the
existence of a noncentrosymmetry is mandatory to get a non-vanishing signal. We show that the static electric field
present inside a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) junction can be used towards creating a very local
noncentrosymmetry via molecular orientation under the tip. An experimental set-up was specifically designed consisting
in the integration of a STM head to an inverted optical microscope, coupled to a femtosecond Ti-Saph laser excitation.
The operation of this system has enabled to get the first images with a SHG contrast of a sample structured at the micron
scale. The objective is now to improve resolution. To this respect, electromagnetic field engineering appears as a key
point. One way consists in exploiting optical nano-antenna effects. In a first approach, the possibility to benefit from
local electromagnetic field enhancement effects occurring in the presence of metallic nano-wires was studied.
Extrapolation of these results shows that imaging with about 50 nm resolution should be within reach, which opens new
perspectives in the field of optical local probe microscopy.
We have investigated a series of mono-, bis- and trisvinyl-pyridinium TP derivatives (TP-Py) which exhibit
interesting properties : good water solubility, reduced size, high photostability, large two-photon absorption
cross-sections (δ up to 700 GM), red emission (λem=660-680nm). Most importantly, TP-Py happen to be poorly
fluorescent in water whereas their fluorescence is strongly enhanced when binding to various forms of DNA. We
showed that this property originates in the spontaneous immobilisation of the dye inside the double-stranded
DNA helix. Due to moderate fluorescence quantum yield efficiencies (η), the brightness of TP-Py appears
however to be improvable (ηδ=19). For this purpose, a new generation of specifically engineered TP derivatives
have been designed and extensively characterized. We showed that switching from a classical TP core to a more
electron-rich trinaphtyl (TN) core enables to increase the molecular brightness although reducing drastically the
dye-DNA specific interactions.
Using the electric field present inside a Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM) junction, we demonstrate the possibility
to create a very local non-centrosymmetry via molecular orientation under the tip. We show this can be used to get
localized light emission through second harmonic generation (SHG). Experiments were performed by coupling a
femtosecond laser inside a metallic-substrate / metallic-tip junction immersed in concentrated solutions of highly
nonlinear azo-dye molecules. The quadratic dependence of the SHG signal intensity with the tip voltage unambiguously
shows that it comes from an electric field induced molecular polarisation under the tip. The potentialities of such effects
are evoked as an original concept for scanning probe microscopy. Extrapolating the SH intensities that could be
recorded, it is estimated that the minimum volume that can be detected in the present experimental configuration is about
1 μm3. In order to be able to decrease this limit, a new experimental set-up is developed towards better signal collection.
The implementation of sharp metallic tips to induce amplifying nanoantenna effects (electrostatic lightning rod effects or
localized surface plasmon resonances) is also discussed as a complementary way to increase the system lateral
resolution.
Azo-polymers have been the subject of a growing interest since the first demonstration of reversible birefringence and
dichroism effects induced optically at room temperature in such materials. It is well established that the mechanisms
involved are related to a molecular reorientation following photo induced trans-cis-trans isomerization of the
chromophores.
The interest for such materials has been strengthened with the more recent demonstration that the photo-isomerization
mechanisms can be employed to induce controlled topographic modifications. A simple example is the induction of a
sinusoidal modulation of the film surface by the irradiation with an interference pattern between two laser beams. Such a
simple step technique appears thus as a simple tool towards realisation of photonic devices.
However, if the realisation of gratings with periods in the visible wavelength scale is widely investigated, a strong
decrease of the patterning efficiency is observed in the case of periods below 400nm, limiting then the potential of the
technique.
In order to circumvent this problem we have developed a new azo-polymer presenting an absorption band shifted to the
Ultra Violet (UV) region of the spectrum. The possibility to induce gratings with periods down to 200nm with UV
irradiation is evidenced. Optical geometries of excitation have been implemented to optimise the modulation efficiencies.
As a potential application of the material investigated, the realisation of a polymer micro laser based on a distributed
feedback scheme is demonstrated.
KEYWORDS: Second-harmonic generation, Scanning tunneling microscopy, Molecules, Microscopy, Harmonic generation, Near field scanning optical microscopy, Signal detection, Optical microscopy, Nonlinear optics, Near field
We propose an original technique which takes profit of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) effects in
molecular solutions. Our technique exploits the specificities of molecular contributions. We show that we can use the
electric field present inside a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) junction towards creating a local non-centrosymmetry
via molecular orientation under the tip. Experiments were performed inside a STM junction immersed
in concentrated solutions of azo-dyes molecules chosen for their highly nonlinear properties and the possibility to
generate a local SHG signal from those molecules was demonstrated. More particularly, the quadratic dependence of the
SHG signal intensity with the voltage applied between the tip and the substrate unambiguously shows that it comes from
an electric field induced molecular polarization under the tip. The dependence of the signal with the tip height or size is
reported and discussed. This approach opens the way to a new and original near field optical microscopy technique.
In a classical multilayer organic light emitting diode (OLED) structure, almost 80% of the light emitted happens to be lost following guiding through the different layers. Patterning of the OLEDs structure was already proposed and reported as an interesting solution towards the optimization of an OLED external efficiency. As an alternative to classical lithographic patterning methods which appear to be quite complex, we propose here the implementation of a quite direct and easy-to-set light-induced patterning method using azo-dye polymers. When a polymer film containing azobenzene dyes is irradiated by an interference pattern between polarized laser beams at a wavelength near the chromophore absorption band, the film surface undergoes a direct, reversible and controlled topographic modification. More surprisingly, we have recently experimentally evidenced that uniform irradiation of an azo-dye polymer using a single laser beam with normal incidence onto the polymer film surface could lead to a self structuration process resulting in the formation of a quasi hexagonal surface-relief grating. After a description of the main features related to light-induced surface relief gratings, we show here that this original patterning process offers an interesting solution for control and optimisation of optoelectronic devices such as OLEDs. The guiding properties of both 1D and 2D structures have been studied and their effects on the light emission properties of a patterned electroluminescent polymer have been characterized and compared after angle dependent measurement of the photoluminescence spectrum. Quite efficient decoupling is evidenced.
It is now well established that, in azo-dye polymers repeated trans-cis-trans isomerization cycles induces molecular reorientation leading to quasi-permanent birefringence and dichroism. More recently, it has been shown that irradiation of an azo-polymer thin film with an interference pattern between polarized laser beams can lead to a direct and reversible topographic modification of the polymer film surface resulting in the induction of surface relief gratings in conjunction with the light interference pattern. Here, we provide experimental evidence of an original spontaneous light-assisted submicrometer patterning process. We show that uniform irradiation of an azo-dye polymer using a single collimated laser beam with normal incidence leads to the formation of organized hexagonal patterns. These structures geometry depends on the laser beam polarization : their period is about the irradiation wavelength and their modulation amplitude can reach one hundred nanometers. Possible origin of such process is discussed. Although showing similar features with models or experiments already described in the literature, the origin of light-assisted spontaneous patterning in azo-polymers is still unclear and further complementary investigations are needed. Indeed, accurate determination of the relevant parameters at the origin of such process should enable a full control of the process together with further possible generation of more complex structures.
All optical poling technique allows orientation of dye molecules in a polymer matrix by purely optical means. The coherent superposition of two beams at fundamental (FUND)and second harmonic (SH)frequencies results in the presence of the polar field E(t) inside the material, able to break the centrosymmetry of the medium. The temporal average cube 3>t of this field E(t) = Eω(t)+E2ω(t), is non-zero, which leads to an orientation-selective excitation of molecules and the second order χ(2)-susceptibility grating is encoded, with a period satisfying the phase matching condition for SH generation. The physical origin of the effect lies in the orientational hole-burning in the initially isotropic distribution of dye molecules (via trans-cis trans photoisomerisation). We investigate other phenomena responsible for the SHG in polymer films like the electron transfer between a polymer matrix (donor of electrons) and a dye molecule (electron acceptor) and processes which accompany polar orientation mechanism like the one-direction photoinduced molecular migration. The stability of the induced polar order after orientation has been also studied and the crosslinkable polymer system has been developed D side chain molecules with ends can thermally react with epoxy groups were randomly inserted in the side groups of the polymer backbone, which leads to the reticulation and enhancement of the rotational stability. After poling the second order nonlinear response exhibits a much longer relaxation time. In the set-up configuration used we monitor non-perturbatively the all optical poling and there is no necessity of taking into account the phase difference between writing beams (fundamental and SH). The periodical modulation of the relative phase provides the desired control on the polar order at the molecular level as well as the possibility of encoding surface relief gratings with a period equal to the half of the period of the χ(2) grating.
During the last decade, large effort has been dedicated towards the miniaturization of devices for photonic applications. One of the key points towards this objective is structurization at the nanoscale level. Recently, one-step photoinscription of surface relief gratings onto azo-polymers was demonstrated: when a polymer film containing azobenzene dyes is irradiated by an interference pattern between polarizaed laser beams at a wavelength near the chromophore absorption band, the film surface undergoes a direct, reversible and controlled topographic modification. Grating modulation amplitudes as large as the film thickness can be obtained. In this work we provide experimental evidence of a new spontaneous light-assisted submicrometer hexagonal patterning process. More particularly, we show that uniform irradaiton of an azo-dye polymer using a singel laser beam wtih normal incidence onto the polymer film surface leads to a self structurization process resulting in the formation of a quasi hexagonal grating. The influence of parameters such as the laser intensity, the irradiation time, the thickness of the polymer film but also the irradiation wavelength is studied towards a better understanding of the process. Full control of the mechanisms at the origin of such process could further permit a complete manipulation of the molecular order and thus enable the generation of other spontaneous complex structures opening the way to the development of new easy-to-set micro and nano-structuration technqiues.
All-optical poling permits the polar orientation of molecules. FOr an efficient poling of thin films, relative phases, amplitudes and polarizations of the two interfering beams must be controlled. We present an original stable one-arm interfermeter which is specific to the recording of two-color interferences. It relies on teh index dispersion of optical glasses. This particular interference technique permits true real-time non-perturbative monitoring of the polar orientation process and a fast all optical poling of thin film materials, without need for phase control.
All-optical poling technique permits purely optical orientation of dye molecules in a polymer film. The experiment includes two phases: the writing (seeding) period and the readout one. In seeding phase two beams, the fundamental (omega) and its second harmonic (SH, 2(omega) ) irradiate the sample and as a result of the coherent interference between them the second order (chi) (2)-susceptibility grating is encoded, with a period satisfying the phase matching condition for SH generation. During the readout step only the fundamental beam is incident onto the material and the second harmonic beam generated by the medium is observed at the back side of the sample. The coherent superposition of two beams at (omega) and 2(omega) frequencies results in a presence of a polar field E(t) inside the material, which can break the centrosymmetry of the medium. The physical origin of the effect lies in the orientational hole-burning in the initially isotropic distribution of dye molecules. It has been demonstrated that efficient all-optical poling requires optimization of relative intensities and relative phase of the seeding beams. An original technique of non-perturbative monitoring of the all-optical poling process without any necessity of taking care of the phase difference between seeding beams is presented. This new technique was applied to several new dye-polymer systems.
All-optical poling technique permits purely optical orientation of molecules. The experiment consists of two steps: the writing (so-called seeding) period and the readout one. In the seeding phase two beams, the fundamental one ((omega) ) and its second harmonic (SH, 2(omega) ) illuminate the sample and print in the medium the second order (chi) (2) susceptibility grating with a periodicity satisfying the condition of phase matching for SH generation. In the readout period only the fundamental beam irradiates the sample, and the second harmonic generation is observed at the sample output. Efficient all-optical poling requires optimisation of the seeding beam intensities and their relative phase difference. We propose a novel technique for non-perturbative monitoring of the all-optical poling process and the easy method of orienting molecules without any necessity of taking into account the phase difference between seeding beams.
In order to improve the photogeneration efficiency and charge transport in polymer photovoltaic cells, we orient diode like molecules inside a polymeric monolayer. Previous results gave experimental evidence of the induction of a rectification behavior as well as an increase in the charge mobility through polar orientation. We present here the first experimental realization where the photovoltaic conversion efficiency is increased by two orders of magnitude in a semiconducting polymer blend.
We present a study of Distributed Feedback laser emission in various polymer materials. This laser scheme permits efficient control of the stimulated emission in dye doped polymer materials. Optical feedback is provided by distributed Bragg gratings formed in the film by interference patterns from the pump beam. We demonstrate broad tunability of laser emission in polymeric waveguides doped with stilbenoid, phenylene vinylene and oligomers of phenyl ethynylene used for OLEDs. Laser action was also obtained with Rhodamine 6G in PMMA deposited on surface relief grating and excited in a transverse single beam pumping geometry.
We present a study of Distributed Feedback laser emission in various polymer materials. This permits efficient control of the stimulated emission in dye doped polymer materials. Confinement and waveguiding effects are evidenced. We also propose a dynamical study of the effect using 4 wave mixing in the saturable absorption regime with stimulated emission.
In the field of organic semiconductor devices, such as electroluminescent diodes or photovoltaic cells, a rectifying junction is mandatory to improve their efficiency. In order to build single polymer film photovoltaic cells, we realize an equivalent distributed p-n junction in a polymeric monolayer. For this purpose, we propose an inter-disciplinary principle derived from the application of nonlinear optical techniques to the technology of polymer semiconductors. We give experimental evidence that molecular rectification induced in an oriented amorphous polymer bearing polar chromophores improves efficiency of polymeric semiconductor device such as photovoltaic cells. Orientation is performed through DC- field ordering of the polar molecules contained in the polymer. Second harmonic generation is used as a probe of the molecular order and permits optimization of the sample orientation parameters, i.e., orientation-field, sample temperature, poling duration and cooling conditions to achieve the largest stable orientation. Additionally, to establish a model which describes charge injection and transport through such device, we propose to use Solid Electric Field Induced Second Harmonic Generation (SEFISHG) as an in situ internal field measurement technique. In this way, before orientation of the molecules, SEFISHG provides the electron work function difference between the two electrode materials, and after orientation, SEFISHG permits the measure of the internal field stored in the structure.
A challenging issue to design devices for photonic applications is to achieve a complete manipulation of the molecular order. Azo-dye aromatic polymers have been shown to offer interesting prospects for material engineering using light matter interactions. Dual-frequency irradiation using appropriate combinations of circular beams polarizations are demonstrated to enable full control of the molecular polar rotation. More recent results on photoinduced surface-relief gratings have also opened the way of molecular translation control using optical fields. Understanding of the relevant parameters of molecular translation processes is a key issue for optimization of such optomechanical effect: a simple model accounting qualitatively for the essential features of photoinduced surface-relief gratings is presented. It illustrates the application of optically powered molecular motors.
The nonlinear excitation of organic molecules in polymer matrices using dual-frequency beams permits the achievement of a large and permanent second-order nonlinearity. The so-called all-optical poling technique permits the patterning of 3- dimensional spatio-tensorial micro-structures in resonant and in transparent materials. Using appropriate combinations of circular polarizations, nearly perfect dipolar and octupolar orders is induced in a polymer consisting of linear molecules. Writing-beams phase retardation angle is coded into a rotation of the nonlinear pattern by the same angle. This permits the achievement of chirality gratings. This may also offer a polarization insensitive configuration for frequency conversion devices.
In an attempt to build single polymer film photovoltaic cells, we underline the intrinsic rectifying nature of an oriented polymeric material. Orientation of the initially symmetric structure is performed through DC-field ordering of the polar molecules contained in the polymer. The internal field induced in the polymeric material is evidenced by the induction of a rectifying current-voltage characteristic. Second harmonic generation is used as a probe of the molecular order. Orientation induced rectification is proportional to the molecular order. This preparation technique opens a new route for the improvement of organic-semiconductor devices efficiency.
All-optical poling is based on the excitation of nonlinear molecules using dual-frequency beams. The process is optimized at a molecular level when the molecules are resonantly excited. From the point of view of frequency conversion applications, this raises the question of device transparency to the frequency converted output. In order to
treat this efficiency transparency tradeoff, we recently developed a simple model accounting for all the observable parameters. The model permits a good prediction of the poling dynamics. Its self-consistency permits the description of all the known all-optical poling schemes. In particular, analysis of the parameters of the model permits the identification of new strategies towards the realization of stable and transparent phase-matched materials for
frequency conversion. Some preliminary experimental results are presented in this respect.
KEYWORDS: Absorption, Molecules, Photons, Polymers, Transition metals, Transparency, Energy transfer, Multiphoton processes, Resonance energy transfer, Chemical elements
Two-photon absorption in organic dyes can be enhanced by orders of magnitude in particular situations. An original
model accounting for an enhanced nonlinear absorption in concentrated interacting dye solutions is presented. The
related nonlinear absorption which is induced in the transparency region of the dye solutions has an intensity dependent
avalanche behavior. It may reach levels as high as using conventional excited state absorption. This open new
possibilities for the practical use oftwo-photon absorption.
One challenging requirement for the design of devices for photonic applications is to achieve complete manipulation of molecular order. The great latitude and flexibility of optical means offers interesting prospects for material engineering using light-matter interactions. Efficient spatial modulation of polymer macroscopic properties is usually achieved using holographic recording of an interference pattern between intense light-waves. However, patterning with polarized monochromatic beams results only in axial order (e.g. vertical or horizontal alignment). For second-order optical nonlinear processes, a polar organization is mandatory (e.g. upwards or downwards orientation). We report here on a new, purely optical technique based on a non-classical holographic process with coherent mixing of dual-frequency fields. It enables an efficient and complete 3-dimensional spatio-tensorial control of polymer micro-structures.
Large-amplitude holographic surface relief gratings are optically induced by resonant visible exposure in azobenzene dye-containing polymers. We propose a simple diffusion model accounting for the essential features of surface relief formation. It accounts for intensity, grating-pitch and polarization dependencies. Understanding of this process appears essential for real-time holography applications. It opens new perspectives associated with optically controlled anisotropic diffusion.
We describe a new method for poling polymers containing nonlinear chromophores. It consists in taking advantage of the polar character of the coherent superposition of a laser beam and second harmonic. Though the resulting electromagnetic field averages to zero, its odd harmonics do not. This offers the possibility of a polar selective excitation of nonlinear chromophores via the interference between one- and two-photon absorption. Experiments were performed on thin films of disperse-red1 dissolved or chemically attached to a PMMA matrix, using a Nd-YAG laser at 1064 nm and its second harmonic obtained after frequency doubling in a KDP crystal. The resulting electro-optic coefficients are comparable to the values obtained by the usual dc-field poling. We have also determined the linear [(chi) (2)(-(omega) ;(omega) ,0)] and quadratic ](chi) (3)(-(omega) ;(omega) ,0,0)] electro-optic coefficients wavelength dispersion in corona-poled thin films, using the modulated ellipsometry technique. One advantage of this technique is the possibility to perform measurements inside the absorption band. From the obtained values, it was possible to determine microscopic parameters of the chromophores such as the dipole moment difference between fundamental and excited states. A resonance of the (chi) (2) dispersion is observed, red-shifted with respect to the one- photon transition.
The nonlinear optical process which permits the optical preparation of centrosymmetric materials for frequency doubling is described in terms of an orientational hole-burning effect induced through non-zero E3 resonant six-wave mixing. The transient all-optical poling of solutions of organic molecules is demonstrated in a configuration of phase-conjugation pumped at half frequency. A permanent all-optical poling is achieved by seeding preparation under backward and forward geometries in an azoaromatic acrylic copolymer. Figures of merit of the optical nonlinearities relevant to the frequency-doubling process are established. This offers a new molecular engineering route to the control and optimization of phase- matched oriented microstructures for frequency conversion.
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