Non-linear optical studies of nickel dithiolene complexes

Abstract

The third-order optical non-linearity, χ(3), linear absorption coefficient, a, and the ratio of the real to imaginary parts of χ(3) have been measured at 1.06 μm for a range of nickel dithiolene complexes with absorption bands between 0.77 and 1.06 μm. From these data the non-linear refractive index, n2, and the device-based figure of merit, W (=Δnsat/αλ), were calculated. W was found to exceed 2 for materials with absorption maxima below 0.8-0.85 μm. The non-linear refractive index of a poly(methyl methacrylate) host doped with 8 × 1019 molecules cm-3 of a nickel dithiolene was also measured and found to be nearly 2 × 10-99 cm2 kW-1.