Photorefractivity in liquid crystals doped with electron donors and acceptors
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
- Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)
The photoconductive and nonlinear optical characteristics of photorefractive nematic liquid crystals with a variety of dopants are discussed. The liquid crystals are 4`-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB) and N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (MBBA). We report the significant improvement of photorefractivity of these systems by systematic addition of chromophores that provide additional absorption and are easily oxidized which produces charge generation. Contrary to previous studies, we show that charge transport in these materials most likely occurs through diffusion of reduced 5CB or MBBA, rather than oxidation of these materials. Easily reduced chromophores are also added to enhance the charge transport characteristics of the liquid crystals. Large diffraction efficiencies and two-beam coupling gain are observed.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 215143
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950801-; TRN: 96:000922-0664
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 210. national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Chicago, IL (United States), 20-25 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of 210th ACS national meeting. Part 1 and 2; PB: 1866 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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