NONLINEAR-OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ORGANIC MOLECULAR ASSEMBLIES AND FRACTAL METALLIC CLUSTERS

The paper overviews progress in the development of molecular media bas ed on organic compounds possessing a high third-order nonlinear optica l susceptibility. Such media are useful in the design of elements for optical data processing devices. The chi(3) values of polyconjugated p olymers and organic dyes are presented; these depend on the film produ ction method and molecular assembly organization. The review discusses nonlinear optical properties of metallic fractal clusters. The nonlin ear response of a molecular medium is shown to be greatly enhanced by aggregation of molecules and by their location in a local field of a m etallic cluster.