Non-linear optical studies of nickel dithiolene complexes

Abstract

The third-order optical non-linearity, χ⁽³⁾, linear absorption coefficient, α, and the ratio of the real to imaginary parts of χ⁽³⁾have been measured at 1.06µm for a range of nickel dithiolene complexes with absorption bands between 0.77 and 1.06µm. From these data the non-linear retractive index, n₂, and the device-based figure of merit, W(=Δn_sat/αλ), were calculated. W was found to exceed 2 for materials with absorption maxima below 0.8–0.85µm. 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^–9cm² kW^–1.