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Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical and Photonic Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 43703

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Special Issue Editor

College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, 1630 E. University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Interests: diffraction optics; holography; non-linear material; photorefractive; optical computing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photoactive materials are materials that interact with the light electromagnetic field and  modify either their own properties  or those of the field. This Special Issue of MDPI Materials aims at collecting a broad range of original research articles on the topics of light–matter interaction and new photoactive materials and structures.

 This Special Issue is open to all contributors in the field of material science, as well as engineering and applications. We invite submissions of novel and original papers as well as reviews that extend and advance our scientific and technical understanding of light–matter interaction, photoactive material synthesis, and their applications in areas that include, but are not limited to:

 

  • Material for quantum optic (single photon emitter/detector, quantum state storage, nonlinear processing)
  • Nonlinear optical material (Kerr, two-photon absorption, saturable absorber),
  • Photorefractive materials (crystal, polymer, hybrid).
  • Photochromic materials (glass, azo-dye, chromophore).
  • Spectral and orientational hole-burning.
  • Plasmonic and photonics material and structures (optical nano-antenna, active nanoparticles).
  • 2D material for optics (graphene, RGO, MoS2, WS2).
  • Metamaterials (negative index, gradient index, optical cloaking).
  • Magneto-optics material (high Verdet constant, optical isolator).

Prof. Pierre-Alexandre Blanche
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photoactive
  • non-linear
  • phtorefractive
  • photochromic
  • plasmonic
  • metamaterials magneto-optics

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 176 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology
by Pierre-Alexandre Blanche
Materials 2021, 14(3), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14030585 - 27 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1658
Abstract
The science of light–matter interaction is one of the greatest accomplishment of the past 100 years [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

8 pages, 2453 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Crystallinity and Luminescence Characteristics of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Doped with Cerium Ions According to Tempering Temperatures
by Jae Yong Jung, Juna Kim, Yang Do Kim, Young-Kuk Kim, Hee-Ryoung Cha, Jung-Goo Lee, Chang Sik Son and Donghyun Hwang
Materials 2021, 14(1), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14010193 - 03 Jan 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2227
Abstract
Hexagonal boron nitride was synthesized by pyrolysis using boric acid and melamine. At this time, to impart luminescence, rare earth cerium ions were added to synthesize hexagonal boron nitride nanophosphor particles exhibiting deep blue emission. To investigate the changes in crystallinity and luminescence [...] Read more.
Hexagonal boron nitride was synthesized by pyrolysis using boric acid and melamine. At this time, to impart luminescence, rare earth cerium ions were added to synthesize hexagonal boron nitride nanophosphor particles exhibiting deep blue emission. To investigate the changes in crystallinity and luminescence according to the re-heating temperature, samples which had been subjected to pyrolysis at 900 °C were subjected to re-heating from 1100 °C to 1400 °C. Crystallinity and luminescence were enhanced according to changes in the reheating temperature. The synthesized cerium ion-doped hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticle phosphor was applied to the anti-counterfeiting field to prepare an ink that can only be identified under UV light. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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13 pages, 19173 KiB  
Article
Thermal Properties of Bayfol® HX200 Photopolymer
by Pierre-Alexandre Blanche, Adoum H. Mahamat and Emmanuel Buoye
Materials 2020, 13(23), 5498; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13235498 - 02 Dec 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2604
Abstract
Bayfol® HX200 photopolymer is a holographic recording material used in a variety of applications such as a holographic combiner for a heads-up display and augmented reality, dispersive grating for spectrometers, and notch filters for Raman spectroscopy. For these systems, the thermal properties [...] Read more.
Bayfol® HX200 photopolymer is a holographic recording material used in a variety of applications such as a holographic combiner for a heads-up display and augmented reality, dispersive grating for spectrometers, and notch filters for Raman spectroscopy. For these systems, the thermal properties of the holographic material are extremely important to consider since temperature can affect the diffraction efficiency of the hologram as well as its spectral bandwidth and diffraction angle. These thermal variations are a consequence of the distance and geometry change of the diffraction Bragg planes recorded inside the material. Because temperatures can vary by a large margin in industrial applications (e.g., automotive industry standards require withstanding temperature up to 125°C), it is also essential to know at which temperature the material starts to be affected by permanent damage if the temperature is raised too high. Using thermogravimetric analysis, as well as spectral measurement on samples with and without hologram, we measured that the Bayfol® HX200 material does not suffer from any permanent thermal degradation below 160°C. From that point, a further increase in temperature induces a decrease in transmission throughout the entire visible region of the spectrum, leading to a reduced transmission for an original 82% down to 27% (including Fresnel reflection). We measured the refractive index change over the temperature range from 24°C to 100°C. Linear interpolation give a slope 4.5×104K1 for unexposed film, with the extrapolated refractive index at 0°C equal to n0=1.51. This refractive index change decreases to 3×104K1 when the material is fully cured with UV light, with a 0°C refractive index equal to n0=1.495. Spectral properties of a reflection hologram recorded at 532 nm was measured from 23°C to 171°C. A consistent 10 nm spectral shift increase was observed for the diffraction peak wavelength when the temperature reaches 171°C. From these spectral measurements, we calculated a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 384×106K1 by using the coupled wave theory in order to determine the increase of the Bragg plane spacing with temperature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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13 pages, 14406 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Magneto-Optic Properties in Sputtered Bi- Containing Ferrite Garnet Thin Films Fabricated Using Oxygen Plasma Treatment and Metal Oxide Protective Layers
by V. A. Kotov, M. Nur-E-Alam, M. Vasiliev, K. Alameh, D. E. Balabanov and V. I. Burkov
Materials 2020, 13(22), 5113; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13225113 - 12 Nov 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1824
Abstract
Magneto-optic (MO) imaging and sensing are at present the most developed practical applications of thin-film MO garnet materials. However, in order to improve sensitivity for a range of established and forward-looking applications, the technology and component-related advances are still necessary. These improvements are [...] Read more.
Magneto-optic (MO) imaging and sensing are at present the most developed practical applications of thin-film MO garnet materials. However, in order to improve sensitivity for a range of established and forward-looking applications, the technology and component-related advances are still necessary. These improvements are expected to originate from new material system development. We propose a set of technological modifications for the RF-magnetron sputtering deposition and crystallization annealing of magneto-optic bismuth-substituted iron-garnet films and investigate the improved material properties. Results show that standard crystallization annealing for the as-deposited ultrathin (sputtered 10 nm thick, amorphous phase) films resulted in more than a factor of two loss in the magneto-optical activity of the films in the visible spectral region, compared to the liquid-phase grown epitaxial films. Results also show that an additional 10 nm-thick metal-oxide (Bi2O3) protective layer above the amorphous film results in ~2.7 times increase in the magneto-optical quality of crystallized iron-garnet films. On the other hand, the effects of post-deposition oxygen (O2) plasma treatment on the magneto-optical (MO) properties of Bismuth substituted iron garnet thin film materials are investigated. Results show that in the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum (at 532 nm), the O2 treated (up to 3 min) garnet films retain higher specific Faraday rotation and figures of merit compared to non-treated garnet films. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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11 pages, 17163 KiB  
Article
Hollow Gold-Silver Nanoshells Coated with Ultrathin SiO2 Shells for Plasmon-Enhanced Photocatalytic Applications
by Pannaree Srinoi, Maria D. Marquez, Tai-Chou Lee and T. Randall Lee
Materials 2020, 13(21), 4967; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13214967 - 04 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2325
Abstract
This article details the preparation of hollow gold-silver nanoshells (GS-NSs) coated with tunably thin silica shells for use in plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic applications. Hollow GS-NSs were synthesized via the galvanic replacement of silver nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of the GS-NSs [...] Read more.
This article details the preparation of hollow gold-silver nanoshells (GS-NSs) coated with tunably thin silica shells for use in plasmon-enhanced photocatalytic applications. Hollow GS-NSs were synthesized via the galvanic replacement of silver nanoparticles. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of the GS-NSs were tuned over the range of visible light to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths by adjusting the ratio of silver nanoparticles to gold salt solution to obtain three distinct types of GS-NSs with LSPR peaks centered near 500, 700, and 900 nm. Varying concentrations of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane and sodium silicate solution afforded silica shell coatings of controllable thicknesses on the GS-NS cores. For each type of GS-NS, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images verified our ability to grow thin silica shells having three different thicknesses of silica shell (~2, ~10, and ~15 nm) on the GS-NS cores. Additionally, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra confirmed the successful coating of the GS-NSs with SiO2 shells having controlled thicknesses. Extinction spectra of the as-prepared nanoparticles indicated that the silica shell has a minimal effect on the LSPR peak of the gold-silver nanoshells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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11 pages, 3310 KiB  
Article
Magneto-Fluorescent Hybrid Sensor CaCO3-Fe3O4-AgInS2/ZnS for the Detection of Heavy Metal Ions in Aqueous Media
by Danil A. Kurshanov, Pavel D. Khavlyuk, Mihail A. Baranov, Aliaksei Dubavik, Andrei V. Rybin, Anatoly V. Fedorov and Alexander V. Baranov
Materials 2020, 13(19), 4373; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13194373 - 30 Sep 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2693
Abstract
Heavy metal ions are not subject to biodegradation and could cause the environmental pollution of natural resources and water. Many of the heavy metals are highly toxic and dangerous to human health, even at a minimum amount. This work considered an optical method [...] Read more.
Heavy metal ions are not subject to biodegradation and could cause the environmental pollution of natural resources and water. Many of the heavy metals are highly toxic and dangerous to human health, even at a minimum amount. This work considered an optical method for detecting heavy metal ions using colloidal luminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Over the past decade, QDs have been used in the development of sensitive fluorescence sensors for ions of heavy metal. In this work, we combined the fluorescent properties of AgInS2/ZnS ternary QDs and the magnetism of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles embedded in a matrix of porous calcium carbonate microspheres for the detection of toxic ions of heavy metal: Co2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+. We demonstrate a relationship between the level of quenching of the photoluminescence of sensors under exposure to the heavy metal ions and the concentration of these ions, allowing their detection in aqueous solutions at concentrations of Co2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ as low as ≈0.01 ppm, ≈0.1 ppm, and ≈0.01 ppm, respectively. It also has importance for application of the ability to concentrate and extract the sensor with analytes from the solution using a magnetic field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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8 pages, 2958 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Optical Properties of Magneto-Optical Na3FeF6:Tb3+ Octahedral Particles
by Zhiguo Zhao and Xue Li
Materials 2020, 13(2), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13020320 - 10 Jan 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2205
Abstract
Sodium iron hexafluoride (Na3FeF6), as a colorless iron fluoride, is expected to be an ideal host for rare earth ions to realize magneto-optical bi-functionality. Herein, monodispersed terbium ions (Tb3+) doped Na3FeF6 particles are successfully [...] Read more.
Sodium iron hexafluoride (Na3FeF6), as a colorless iron fluoride, is expected to be an ideal host for rare earth ions to realize magneto-optical bi-functionality. Herein, monodispersed terbium ions (Tb3+) doped Na3FeF6 particles are successfully synthesized by a facile one-pot hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) reveal that the Tb3+ doped Na3FeF6 micro-particles with regular octahedral shape can be assigned to a monoclinic crystal structure (space group P21/c). Under ultraviolet light excitation, the Na3FeF6:Tb3+ octahedral particles given orange-red light emission originated from the 5D47FJ transitions of the Tb3+ ions. In addition, the magnetism measurement indicates that Na3FeF6:Tb3+ octahedral particles are paramagnetic with high magnetization at room temperature. Therefore, the Na3FeF6:Tb3+ powders may find potential applications in the biomedical field as magnetic-optical bi-functional materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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17 pages, 874 KiB  
Article
Nonlinear Optical Phenomena in a Silicon-Smectic A Liquid Crystal (SALC) Waveguide
by Boris I. Lembrikov, David Ianetz and Yosef Ben-Ezra
Materials 2019, 12(13), 2086; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12132086 - 28 Jun 2019
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2211
Abstract
Liquid crystals (LCs) are organic materials characterized by the intermediate properties between those of an isotropic liquid and a crystal with a long range order. The LCs possess strong anisotropy of their optical and electro-optical properties. In particular, LCs possess strong optical nonlinearity. [...] Read more.
Liquid crystals (LCs) are organic materials characterized by the intermediate properties between those of an isotropic liquid and a crystal with a long range order. The LCs possess strong anisotropy of their optical and electro-optical properties. In particular, LCs possess strong optical nonlinearity. LCs are compatible with silicon-based technologies. Due to these unique properties, LCs are promising candidates for the development of novel integrated devices for telecommunications and sensing. Nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) are mostly used and studied. Smectic A liquid crystals (SALCs) have a higher degree of long range order forming a layered structure. As a result, they have lower scattering losses, specific mechanisms of optical nonlinearity related to the smectic layer displacement without the mass density change, and they can be used in nonlinear optical applications. We theoretically studied the nonlinear optical phenomena in a silicon-SALC waveguide. We have shown theoretically that the stimulated light scattering (SLS) and cross-phase modulation (XPM) caused by SALC nonlinearity can occur in the silicon-SALC waveguide. We evaluated the smectic layer displacement, the SALC hydrodynamic velocity, and the slowly varying amplitudes (SVAs) of the interfering optical waves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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16 pages, 2062 KiB  
Article
Ultrasonic Influence on Plasmonic Effects Exhibited by Photoactive Bimetallic Au-Pt Nanoparticles Suspended in Ethanol
by Eric Abraham Hurtado-Aviles, Jesús Alejandro Torres, Martín Trejo-Valdez, Christopher René Torres-SanMiguel, Isaela Villalpando and Carlos Torres-Torres
Materials 2019, 12(11), 1791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12111791 - 03 Jun 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2650
Abstract
The optical behavior exhibited by bimetallic nanoparticles was analyzed by the influence of ultrasonic and nonlinear optical waves in propagation through the samples contained in an ethanol suspension. The Au-Pt nanoparticles were prepared by a sol-gel method. Optical characterization recorded by UV-vis spectrophotometer [...] Read more.
The optical behavior exhibited by bimetallic nanoparticles was analyzed by the influence of ultrasonic and nonlinear optical waves in propagation through the samples contained in an ethanol suspension. The Au-Pt nanoparticles were prepared by a sol-gel method. Optical characterization recorded by UV-vis spectrophotometer shows two absorption peaks correlated to the synergistic effects of the bimetallic alloy. The structure and nanocrystalline nature of the samples were confirmed by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy evaluations. The absorption of light associated with Surface Plasmon Resonance phenomena in the samples was modified by the dynamic influence of ultrasonic effects during the propagation of optical signals promoting nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction. The third-order nonlinear optical response of the nanoparticles dispersed in the ethanol-based fluid was explored by nanosecond pulses at 532 nm. The propagation of high-frequency sound waves through a nanofluid generates a destabilization in the distribution of the nanoparticles, avoiding possible agglomerations. Besides, the influence of mechanical perturbation, the container plays a major role in the resonance and attenuation effects. Ultrasound interactions together to nonlinear optical phenomena in nanofluids is a promising alternative field for a wide of applications for modulating quantum signals, sensors and acousto-optic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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11 pages, 1878 KiB  
Article
Holographic Performance of Azo-Carbazole Dye-Doped UP Resin Films Using a Dyeing Process
by Kenji Kinashi, Isana Ozeki, Ikumi Nakanishi, Wataru Sakai and Naoto Tsutsumi
Materials 2019, 12(6), 945; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12060945 - 21 Mar 2019
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3028
Abstract
For the practical application of dynamic holography using updatable dyed materials, optical transparency and an enlarged sample size with a uniform dispersion of the dye and no air bubbles are crucial. The holographic films were prepared by applying a dyeing method comprising application, [...] Read more.
For the practical application of dynamic holography using updatable dyed materials, optical transparency and an enlarged sample size with a uniform dispersion of the dye and no air bubbles are crucial. The holographic films were prepared by applying a dyeing method comprising application, curing, dyeing, and washing to an unsaturated polyester (UP) resin film. The unsaturated polyester (UP) resin film with high optical transparency was dyed with a 3-[(4-cyanophenyl)azo]-9H-carbazole-9-ethanol (CACzE) (azo-carbazole) dye via the surfactant, polyoxyethylene (5) docosyl ether, in an aqueous solution. The amount of dye uptake obtained via the dyeing process ranged from 0.49 to 6.75 wt.%. The dye concentration in the UP resin was proportional to the dye concentration in the aqueous solution and the immersion time. The UP resin film with 3.65 wt.% dye exhibited the optical diffraction property η1 of 0.23% with a response time τ of 5.9 s and a decay time of 3.6 s. The spectroscopic evaluation of the UP resin film crosslinking reaction and the dyeing state in the UP resin film are discussed. Furthermore, as an example of its functionality, the dynamic holographic properties of the dye-doped UP resin film are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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13 pages, 4154 KiB  
Article
Shape-Memory Assisted Scratch-Healing of Transparent Thiol-Ene Coatings
by Algirdas Lazauskas, Dalius Jucius, Valentinas Baltrušaitis, Rimantas Gudaitis, Igoris Prosyčevas, Brigita Abakevičienė, Asta Guobienė, Mindaugas Andrulevičius and Viktoras Grigaliūnas
Materials 2019, 12(3), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12030482 - 04 Feb 2019
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4921
Abstract
A photopolymerizable thiol-ene composition was prepared as a mixture of pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) and 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (TTT), with 1 wt. % of 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) photoinitiator. A systematic analytical analysis that investigated the crosslinked PETMP-TTT polymer coatings employed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, differential [...] Read more.
A photopolymerizable thiol-ene composition was prepared as a mixture of pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) and 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (TTT), with 1 wt. % of 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) photoinitiator. A systematic analytical analysis that investigated the crosslinked PETMP-TTT polymer coatings employed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, pencil hardness, thermo-mechanical cyclic tensile, scratch testing, and atomic force microscopy. These coatings exhibited high optical transparency and shape-memory that assisted scratch-healing properties. Scratches produced on the PETMP-TTT polymer coatings with different constant loadings (1.2 N, 1.5 N, and 2.7 N) were completely healed after the external stimulus was applied. The strain recovery ratio and total strain recovery ratio for PETMP-TTT polymer were found to be better than 94 ± 1% and 97 ± 1%, respectively. The crosslinked PETMP-TTT polymer network was also capable of initiating scratch recovery at ambient temperature conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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13 pages, 7867 KiB  
Article
Total Performance of Magneto-Optical Ceramics with a Bixbyite Structure
by Akio Ikesue, Yan Lin Aung, Shinji Makikawa and Akira Yahagi
Materials 2019, 12(3), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12030421 - 30 Jan 2019
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 3831
Abstract
High-quality magneto-optical ceramics (TbxY1−x)2O3 (x = 0.5–1.0) with a Bixbyite structure were extensively investigated for the first time. The total performances of these ceramics were far superior to those of commercial TGG (Tb3 [...] Read more.
High-quality magneto-optical ceramics (TbxY1−x)2O3 (x = 0.5–1.0) with a Bixbyite structure were extensively investigated for the first time. The total performances of these ceramics were far superior to those of commercial TGG (Tb3Ga5O12) crystal, which is regarded as the highest class of Faraday rotator material. In particular, the Verdet constant of Tb2O3 (when x = 1.0) ceramic was the largest—495 to 154 rad·T−1·m−1 in the wavelength range of 633 to 1064 nm, respectively. It was possible to further minimize the Faraday isolator device. The insertion loss of this ceramic was equivalent to that of the commercial TGG single crystal (0.04 dB), and its extinction ratio reached more than 42 dB, which is higher than the value for TGG crystal (35 dB). The thermal lens effect (1/f) was as small as 0.40 m−1 as measured by a 50 W fiber laser. The laser damage threshold of this ceramic was 18 J/cm2, which is 1.8 times larger than that of TGG, and it was not damaged during a power handling test using a pulsed laser (pulse width 50 ps, power density 78 MW/cm2) irradiated at 2 MHz for 7000 h. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

23 pages, 7955 KiB  
Review
Holography with Photochromic Diarylethenes
by Luca Oggioni, Giorgio Pariani, Frédéric Zamkotsian, Chiara Bertarelli and Andrea Bianco
Materials 2019, 12(17), 2810; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12172810 - 01 Sep 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2951
Abstract
Photochromic materials are attractive for the development of holograms for different reasons: they show a modulation of the complex refractive index, meaning they are suitable for both amplitude and phase holograms; they are self-developing materials, which do not require any chemical process after [...] Read more.
Photochromic materials are attractive for the development of holograms for different reasons: they show a modulation of the complex refractive index, meaning they are suitable for both amplitude and phase holograms; they are self-developing materials, which do not require any chemical process after the light exposure to obtain the final hologram; the holograms are rewritable, making the system a convenient reconfigurable platform for these types of diffractive elements. In this paper, we will show the features of photochromic materials, in particular diarylethenes in terms of the modulation of a transparency and refractive index, which are mandatory for their use in holography. Moreover, we report on the strategies used to write binary and grayscale holograms and their achieved results. The outcomes are general, and they can be further applied to other classes of photochromic materials in order to optimize the system for achieving high efficiency and high fidelity holograms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photoactive Materials: Synthesis, Applications and Technology)
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