| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N20652/01 |
| Title: |
MOLECULAR LEGO : OPTIMISED SHG FROM ORGANIC WAVEGUIDE STRUCTURES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ashwell, Professor G |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Cranfield University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2000 |
Ends: |
31 March 2004 |
Value (£): |
118,108
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Electronics |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films in which the layers interlock at a single interface (molecular zips) or both top and bottom (molecular lego) may be fabricated by considering the geometry of the materials responsible for the surface structure. Previously, Lego-type arrangements have not been reported for LB films whereas at Cranfield, we have developed a technique to obtain interlocking layer structures and, for the first time, have demonstrated non-centroymmetric allignment of the optically nonlinear chromophores in a Lego-type film. The non-centrosymmetry is essential for second-harmonic generation (SHG) and an important consequence of this discovery is that the volume occupied by the inert hydrophobic regions of the film is reduced. The SHG-active chromophores occupy 40-50% of the bulk compared with only 10-20% in other non-centrosymmetric LB structures as well as poled polymer films. Thus, the second-order susceptibility is improved. The general aims are to optimise the interlocking arrangement and to exploit the discovery by fabricating symmetry-inverted LB waveguide structures. this will be effected by using the chromophore in two LB overlays, the different orientation being achieved by controlling the relative lengths of the hydrophobic groups at opposite ends of the molecule.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk |