Norman E. Heimer

Modeling, synthesis, and characterization of third-order nonlinear optical salts

A number of dithioacetate and dithiolate mono- and dianions have been synthesized and characterized through Z-scan measurements, with some showing significant third order nonlinear optical (NLO) behavior. Tetralkylphosphonium cations were utilized in tandem with the nonlinear anions so as to minimize electrostatic interactions within the salt, consequently resulting in the materials being room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), which have numerous advantages over typical organic-based materials. Anions composed of metal-ligand systems were also tested for NLO behavior as components of novel ionic liquid materials. These RTILs introduce a new class of materials with potential applications in optical limiting and other all-optical devices.

Substituted imidazolium phenylphosphonate salts for nonlinear optical applications

Three candidates for potential applications as new nonlinear optical materials were investigated using x-ray crystallography to probe the structure and powder second harmonic generation to elicidate the nonlinear response of the materials. Three structures are reported: 1-benzylimidazolium phenylphosphonate, 2-ethylimidazolium phenylphosphonate, and 2-methylimidazolium phenylphosphonate. Of these three salts two, 2-ethylimidazolium phenylphosphonate and 2-methylimidazolium phenylphosphonate, are noncentrosymmetric and therefore display a nonlinear optical response.