Work

Strong Second Harmonic Generation and Nonlinear Optical Activity in Chiral Supramolecular Polymers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The growing demand for advanced optical materials has made nonlinear photonics a key area of research, particularly for developing new technologies. Therefore, this study focuses on chiral supramolecular structures, which are highly promising due to their exceptional second-order optical susceptibility (χ (2) ) values. In particular, we investigated the origin and optical activity of second harmonic generation (SHG) in chiral polybinaphthalenes using femtosecond laser pulses. Our outcomes reveal a high χ (2) value, up to 7 pm/V, influenced by the attached chromophores at the polymer backbone. Structural analysis showed rodlike/helical structures that promote directional preference for the SHG signal. Simulations unveil that the SHG process is connected to the quasi-phase matching process, and the material’s robust chiral structure leads to high optical activity observed via lock-in amplifier detection. In conclusion, the conjunction of high SHG values and optical activity of these supramolecular structures makes them excellent candidates for chiral photonics applications.

Source: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c02495

Authors: Carlos H. D. dos Santos, Marcelo G. Vivas, Filipe A. Couto, Guy Koeckelberghs, Cleber R. Mendonça, Leonardo De Boni

Institutions: Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, KU Leuven

Language: English

Topic: Nonlinear Optical Materials Research

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500