Molecular Photonics and Electronics

Autor: E H Sargent, J Zyss, P W E Smith, M D'Iorio, C Andraud
Rok vydání: 2002
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics. 4
ISSN: 1741-3567
1464-4258
Popis: Researchers from France and Canada gathered at Château Montebello, Quebec, Canada, on 15–17 October 2001 for the France–Canada Conference on Molecular Photonics and Electronics. The conference built on the first such meeting held in Cachan, France, the previous year. The field seeks to harness advances in organic and polymer synthesis – the chemistry of designer molecules, materials, and structures – to implement demanding functions such as high-performance optical networking and the realization of new modes of human–computer interaction. The conference was co-sponsored by the Nortel Institute for Telecommunications of the University of Toronto, the National Research Council of Canada and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France. Molecular photonics and electronics apply properties of complex assemblies of atoms – including organic and polymeric molecules – to realize new functions that may transform the networks, computers and human–machine interactions. Key ingredients include: (1) The design and synthesis of new molecules and materials through a rapidly advancing ability to predict properties and engineer materials to a requirement. (2) A technology platform based on low-cost materials, physically flexible substrates, a generalized adaptability and multifunctionality, and compatibility with soft technologies of lithography and further surface chemistry. (3) Advanced instrumentation, permitting single-photon, single-electron emission and detection techniques based on such methods as advanced confocal microscopy, near-field optical methods and scanning tunnelling microscopy. (4) New physics such as that based on photonic crystals, microcavity lasers and organic superconductors. The field takes its inspiration from organisms and the organic molecules which engender life – the epitome of high-level, robust function arising out of subtle combination and complexity. The field is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on basic science in physics, chemistry and biology, becoming real through materials and electrical engineering, and finding its motivation and feedback through information technology and data communications. This Special Issue of Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics is divided into three areas. The first concerns nonlinear optics, the science and application of light with itself, a basis for optical switching and signal-processing. Le Bozec, Le Bouder, Maury, Ledoux and Zyss open the issue by showing the power of molecular design and assembly towards a specific application, in this case the realization of controllably nonlinear materials. Ishow, Ling, Delaire and Nakatani show how light can be used to create conditions under which electric-field poling, and the resulting second-order nonlinear coefficient, are enhanced by optically-induced molecular stirring of side-chains in the material. Tykwinski, Kamada, Bykowski, Hegmann and Hinkle tune the donor-acceptor characteristics of molecular materials, changing minimally the linear properties (e.g. linear loss) while significantly enhancing their nonlinear properties. Slepkov, Hegmann, Kamada, Zhao and Tykwinski trace out structure–property relationships for the number of repeat units in a particular class of oligomers related to their third-order nonlinear optical properties. Attias, Cavalli, Lemaitre, Cherioux, Maillotte, Ledoux and Zyss compare and discuss the optical properties of a novel class of push–pull and symmetric nonlinear optical chromophores. The second area concerns the properties and fabrication of novel structures and devices based on functional polymers. Manners reviews the properties of the polyferrocenylsilanes, an inorganic polymer containing iron on the main chain, with a focus on semiconduction, charge dissipation and nanolithographic patterning properties. Clark, Robinson and Clayton report the low-loss behaviour of flexible polyimide waveguides and discuss their use in optical wire bonding. Cloutier, Peyrot, Galstian and Lessard present photoinduced anisotropy – dichroism and birefringence – in photoresist doped with Disperse Red 1 Azo-Dye molecules. Lagugne-Labarthet, Buffeteau and Sourisseau discuss the formation and behaviour of combined polarization- and surface relief-gratings optically inscribed on azopolymer thin films. Istrate and Sargent present an analytical theory and physical picture of how optical structures which are periodic on multiple length scales may be interpreted and analyzed quantitatively as photonic crystal heterostructures. The final area concerns the properties of active and electro-optic materials and properties. Garnier reviews the behaviour of organic-on-inorganic photovoltaic structures which combine the stability and conversion efficiency of n-type inorganic semiconductors with the versatility and tunability of organic p-type semiconductors. Drolet, Beaupre, Morin, Tao and Leclerc report the fabrication and characterization of light-emitting diodes which can cover the entire red/green/blue visible spectrum depending on the composition of the copolymers used. Wang, Botzung-Appert, Stephan, Ibanez and Baldeck report the absorption and emission properties of a class of bifluorene bulk crystal and microcrystals in sol–gel films. Bes, Rousseau, Boutevin, Mercier, Toussaere and Zyss present the chemical and optical properties of novel crosslinkable fluorinated oligoimides with linear and nonlinear optical properties. Ding, Tao, Day, Roovers and D'Iorio report on the properties of copolymers containing oxadiazole units symmetrically dispersed in the main chain between fluorene units, focusing on electrochemical stability, doping and photoluminescence. Qi, Desjardins and Wang discuss the impact on the optical, electrochemical and electronic behaviour of ligands used to control the properties of materials suitable for variable optical attenuation. Dharma-wardana and Zgierski discusses principles underlying the design of molecules to bypass the singlet-triplet bottleneck which has traditionally limited electroluminescence in organic systems. The France–Canada Conference on Molecular Photonics and Electronics was a scientific and collaborative success as a result of the leadership and vision shown by the sponsors and the calibre of the papers given, many of which are presented in extended form in this Special Issue. The Guest Editors thank the co-sponsors, authors and many referees for being so generous with their time, support and expertise.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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