Research Equipment Grant: Langmuir/Blodgett Deposition Apparatus

将使用交替层Langmuir/Blodgett槽和支撑系统设备进行超薄聚合物薄膜的沉积和表征研究。所选择的材料将是聚合物与替代染料选择其非线性光学性质。二阶非线性性能，如二次谐波产生和线性电光效应，将测量完成的薄膜组件。如果要产生预期的巨大影响，这些组件必须始终保持非中心对称的顺序。因此，使用活性聚合物与惰性有机层或合成的其他活性物质交织，以交替层的方式构建组件，以呈现每对层的净非对称顺序。新型非线性材料的开发是一个关键的技术问题。光纤通信系统需要发展开关、调制器和色散补偿。有机分子，如血青素染料，具有最大的二阶非线性系数已知。Langmuir/Blodgett允许多层单层薄膜结构的发展，这可能提供从分子行为中预期的薄膜组装性能。因此，致力于研究交织有机和聚合物材料的研究可能为未来的光学系统提供关键部件。

An alternating layer Langmuir/Blodgett trough and support system equipment will be used to conduct research on the deposition and characterization of ultrathin polymeric films. The materials chosen for examination will be polymers with substituted dyes selected for their nonlinear optical properties. Second order nonlinear performance, such as second harmonic generation and the linear electro-optic effect, will be measured for the completed film assemblies. The assemblies must maintain noncentrosymmetric order throughout if they are to produce the extraordinary large effects predicted. Thus, the assemblies are built up in an alternating layer fashion using the active polymer interleaved with either inert organic layers or with other active species synthesized to present a net nonsymmetric order for each pair of layers. The development of novel nonlinear materials is a critical technological issue. Optical fiber communication systems require the development of switches, modulators, and dispersion compensation. Organic molecules, such as hemocyanin dyes, possess the largest second order nonlinear coefficients known. The Langmuir/Blodgett permits the development of multi-monolayer film architectures which may provide the performance in the film assembly expected from the molecular behavior. Thus, research devoted to studying interleaved organic and polymeric materials may provide key components for optical systems of the future.