Abstract: Methods for fabricating a non-linear optical (NLO) film and a NLO film structure produced thereby are provided. The methods include depositing an alignment layer material on at least one surface of a substrate, aligning the molecules of the alignment layer material in a substantially uniaxial direction, and depositing a NLO film on the alignment layer material. The methods may be advantageous in that they tend to produce NLO films having relatively strong NLO properties. The methods may be further advantageous in that they are relatively simple and may be applied to a wide range of organic NLO materials.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a non-linear optical (NLO) film and a NLO film structure produced thereby are provided. The methods include depositing an alignment layer material on at least one surface of a substrate, aligning the molecules of the alignment layer material in a substantially uniaxial direction, and depositing a NLO film on the alignment layer material. The methods may be advantageous in that they tend to produce NLO films having relatively strong NLO properties. The methods may be further advantageous in that they are relatively simple and may be applied to a wide range of organic NLO materials.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating composite nonlinear optical (NLO) organic films that are suited for use in NLO device applications. The highly NLO properties of these films arise from the vector alignment of ‘guest’ NLO molecules in a self-ordered nano-structured liquid crystal ‘host’ film. Field-poling is used to remove the centro-symmetry. The ‘guest’ concentration is increased by film processing to incorporate oriented nonlinear nano-crystallites to increase nonlinearity. NLO devices based on such films are of low cost and permit fast switching in a compact device format.