Electron-transfer photochromism to switch bulk second-order nonlinear optical properties with high contrast

Abstract

The first bulk electron-transfer photochromic compound with intrinsic second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) photoswitching properties has been synthesized. This system employs an electron-transfer photoactive asymmetric viologen ligand coordinated to a zinc(II) center.

Keywords: bulk material; nonlinear optics; organic-inorganic hybrid composites; photochromism; photoswitch.