Open AccessLight-induced reorientation and birefringence in polymeric dispersions of nano-sized crystals
Author(s) -
Roberto Termine,
Iolinda Aiello,
Nicolas Godbert,
Mauro Ghedini,
Attilio Golemme
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.16.006910
Subject(s) - materials science , electric field , birefringence , photorefractive effect , dispersion (optics) , optics , nano , refractive index , optoelectronics , polarized light microscopy , phase (matter) , composite material , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Nanocrystals (50-250 nm) of a Palladium complex within a polyisobutylmethacrylate matrix were prepared by a phase separation method. In these dispersions, a light-induced birefringence with Deltan approximately 10(-3) was induced, without the application of an electric field. This effect was related to the photoconducting properties of the dispersion. Evidence for charge photogeneration without any applied field was obtained. The photorefractive behaviour of the material confirmed that the nanocrystals reorientation is a consequence of photoconducting properties. A light-generated electric field approximaely E 3 V/microm was estimated. These results illustrate the potential of materials with a nano-crystalline dispersion morphology as light-responsive media.