Self-assembled organic hexagonal micro-prisms with high second harmonic generation efficiency for photonic devices.

Area of Science:

• Nanophotonics
• Organic Optoelectronics
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Multiwavelength coherent light sources are essential for integrating nanophotonics circuits.
• Efficient second harmonic generation (SHG) is critical for developing advanced optical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate highly efficient SHG in single-crystalline hexagonal micro-prisms (HMPs) of 3-methyl-4-methoxy-4'-nitrostilbene (MMONS).
• To explore the potential of MMONS HMPs as coherent light sources for optical interconnectors.

Main Methods:

• Facile self-assembled method for preparing MMONS HMPs.
• Experimental characterization of SHG conversion efficiency (ηSHG) with varying prism side lengths.
• Local electric field |E|(2) calculations to understand light propagation modes.

Main Results:

• SHG conversion efficiency (ηSHG) in MMONS HMPs increases with prism side length.
• Hexagonal prism shape supports helically propagating modes.
• SHG light couples into whispering-gallery (WG) like modes with 50-80% efficiency, propagating helically.

Conclusions:

• MMONS HMPs exhibit efficient SHG and unique helical light propagation.
• These HMPs can serve as coherent sources for organic nano- and micro-structure optoelectronics.
• A functional optical interconnector was constructed using MMONS HMPs and DP micro-ribbons.