Non-linear optical effects in thin organic polymeric films

In this paper a comprehensive account is presented of research work carried out in the author's laboratory in the areas of design of polymeric thin films, investigation of their ultrastructure and studies of non-linear optical effects. Thin film design and fabrication involve two approaches: electrochemical polymerization and the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Application of laser Raman optical wave-guides, inelastic electron tunneling, picosecond transient gratings and surface plasmon coupling techniques for the study of ultrastructure is discussed. Results are presented from picosecond and subpicosecond degenerate four-wave mixing, time-resolved coherent Raman spectroscopy, surface plasmon non-linear optics and optical bistability behavior at a non-linear interface to ellucidate the nature of third-order non-linear optical effects in thin films of π electron conjugated polymeric systems.