Effect of side groups on two-photon absorption of soluble polythiophenes. Issue 7 (9th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Satapathi, Soumitra; Li, Lian; Anandakathir, Robinson; Samuleson, Lynne; Kumar, Jayant
• Is Part Of: Spectroscopy letters. Volume 50:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 375
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2017-08-09
• Subjects: Polythiophene -- quantum efficiency -- side group -- two-photon absorption; Spectrum analysis -- Periodicals; 543.5
• DOI: 10.1080/00387010.2017.1333125
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-7010

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The effect of pendant side groups on two-photon absorption cross-section in a number of soluble fluorescent polythiophenes was investigated. Different side groups lead to different planarity and conformation of the polymer. As the side-group-induced planarity of the polymer chain increases, the two-photon absorption cross-section also increases. The increased delocalization of the π-electrons along the polymer backbone enhances the third-order optical nonlinearity. The aggregation of the polymer chain in solution lowers the quantum efficiency of fluorescence and decreases the two-photon absorption cross-section. This study demonstrates a novel method of enhancing the two-photon absorption cross-section by tuning the pendant side group.