Compact TCBD based molecules and supramolecular assemblies for third-order nonlinear optics

Abstract

We present linear and nonlinear optical properties of small donor-acceptor substituted molecules for third-order nonlinear optics and of their dense assemblies created by molecular beam deposition in high vacuum. The molecules are variations on the DDMEBT molecule, obtained by varying the structure of the electron donating groups around a compact conjugated core derived from a tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD) group. We discuss the optical properties, lifetime, losses, and robustness of vapor-deposited DDMEBT thin films and the influence of the different end-groups on both the linear and nonlinear optical properties of the molecules and the resulting supramolecular assemblies.