NONLINEAR EFFECTS IN CHROMOPHORE DOPED SOL-GEL PHOTONIC MATERIALS

Linear and nonlinear optical effects have been studied in chromophore- doped gel hosts. Tetra-4-sulfonatophenylporphyrinatocopper(II) (CuTPPS ), and imethylspiro[2H-indole-2,3'-[3H]naphth[2,1-b][1,4] oxazine] (SP spirooxazine) species were entrapped within porous aluminosilicate ho sts. Optical limiting effects and radiative up-conversion behavior in the CuTPPS-doped materials are described, and a six-level model is pro posed based on experimental findings. Spirooxazine-containing specimen s exhibiting photochromic effects were prepared, and cw and time-resol ved spectroscopy methods are used to assess excited state band structu res and the nature of guest-hose interactions in the resultant gels.