| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L14343/01 |
| Title: |
INVESTIGATION OF LARGE SECOND-ORDER NON-LINEAR OPTICAL RESPONSES IN MAIN-CHAIN NEMATIC POLYMERS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Warner, Professor M |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 March 1997 |
Ends: |
29 February 2000 |
Value (£): |
114,549
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The nonlinear susceptibility X(2) yields a polarisation varying as the square of the applied electric field. Practical consequences are frequency doublers for light, electro-optical modulation and optical switches.We aim to explore our recent discovery of new organic materials with X(2) responses 10-100 times larger than materials in current use. Our materials also have great temporal stability, showing no measurable decay in the months since they were first synthesised and poled.The response and associated physics had been predicted. However, the saturation and dynamics of poling, and the temperature behaviour of the large response remain to be systematically explored experimentally. Our new syntheses aim to chemically optimise chromophores, molecular architecture and phase behaviour. The programme of polymer processing will allow preparation and poling of thin films prepared with suitable electrodes. Then physical measurements using the time-resolved linear Pockels effect will characterise X(2) and allow measurements of the polymer dynamics. In addition, measurements of wave-guiding will be used to assess scattering losses. The project will hopefully lead to new NLO materials for new generations of opto-electronic devices. Existing optical modulators could also be made smaller and much faster with very high X(2) materials of low dielectric constant.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |