Is There a Role for Organic Materials Chemistry in Nonlinear Optics and Photonics?

A review of the basic concepts and relevant scientific and technical issues in the new field of nonlinear optics and photonics is presented. The role the chemistry of organic materials may play in the development of new molecules with improved nonlinear optical properties is addressed. Numerous examples of chemical approaches are presented from our research as well as from other published work. We present our view on the question posed in the title. It is our intent to encourage the chemical community to become involved in the synthesis of novel organic / organometallic materials and bring to the attention of other disciplines the role materials chemistry may play in the development of the exciting area of nonlinear optics and photonics.