Possible Photonic Devices

This brief review of our findings in azo polymer behavior when subjected to laser illumination raises the obvious question Are any of these phenomena useful The answer is yes, and what follows is a brief review of the potential applications we saw for our novel materials. All of these are at the stage of proof-of-principle demonstration. 

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Natansohn A, Rochon P. 1999. Photoinduced motions in azobenzene based amorphous polymers possible photonic devices. Adv Mater 11(6) 1387 1391. 

Three-dimensional (3D) structuring of materials allows miniaturization of photonic devices, micro-(nano-)electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS), micro-total analysis systems (yu,-TAS), and other systems functioning on the micro- and nanoscale. Miniature photonic structures enable practical implementation of near-held manipulation, plasmonics, and photonic band-gap (PEG) materials, also known as photonic crystals (PhC) [1,2]. In micromechanics, fast response times are possible due to the small dimensions of moving parts. Femtoliter-level sensitivity of /x-TAS devices has been achieved due to minute volumes and cross-sections of channels and reaction chambers, in combination with high resolution and sensitivity of optical con-focal microscopy. Progress in all these areas relies on the 3D structuring of bulk and thin-fllm dielectrics, metals, and organic photosensitive materials. 

Compounds displaying nonlinear optical (NLO) properties are currently drawing considerable attention due to their possible applications in the emerging technologies of optoelectronics and photonic devices (130-135). Before... 

One of the important functions of metal complexes is charge transfer. This is realized mainly by redox reactions of the central metal ion in the ground as well as in excited states. When metal complexes are incorporated in a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix can take on the function of transporting charges in the dark or under light irradiation, which can lead to electronic and photonic devices. Please refer also Chapter 13. Another possibility where metal complexes are involved are electroluminescent devices in which a material is excited by applying a voltage, and lumineseence is observed. 

The most exciting aspect of this research is the possibility to use these properties (photoinduced birefringence, surface gratings and two-beam coupling) in photonic devices design, given the simplicity of the material and of the necessary preliminary manipulation in order to obtain the desired effects. 

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