The relationship between structure and second hyperpolarisability in conjugated hydrocarbons

Abstract

The well known correlation between molecular length and second hyperpolarisability, γ, in linear conjugated oligomers is extended to include curved aromatic molecules by considering the surface area rather than length. The new relationship provides a means of comparing hydrocarbons of widely differing structure, as well as indicating the onset of the saturation limit found in linear polymers. The application to the design of materials with high non-linear optical responses is discussed.