Scaling law for second-order hyperpolarizability in poly(triacetylene) molecular wires

U. Gubler*, Ch Bosshard, P. Günter, M. Y. Balakina, J. Cornil, J. L. Brédas, R. E. Martin, F. Diederich

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

Poly(triacetylenes) are rodlike molecules with electrons delocalized over a one-dimensional path. We show that they exhibit a power-law dependence of the second-order hyperpolarizability γ on the monomer unit n for short molecules and a smooth saturation toward a linear increase in longer molecules. The power law of γ ∝ na with a ≈ 2.5 from dengenerate four-wave mixing and third-harmonic generation measurements is in good agreement with quantum-chemical calculations. The critical conjugation length for saturation in the three cases is shown to be approximately 60 carbon-carbon bonds, which indicates the upper boundary for the electron delocalization in such a one-dimensional molecular wire.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1599-1601
Number of pages3
JournalOPTICS LETTERS
Volume24
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 15 1999
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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