Abstract
The diagonal and off-diagonal tensor components of the first hyperpolarizability of a series of Λ-shaped molecules are compared by means of ab initio and semiempirical molecular orbital calculations. The calculated results are rationalized using expressions derived from a simple valence-bond charge-transfer model in which one ground and two excited state are described as a combination of one valence-bond (VB) and two charge-transfer (CT) states. In addition to the CT character, the angle (2θ) between the two donor (D)/acceptor (A) branches is a key parameter to determine the relative magnitudes between the βxxz and βzzz components. In the VB-2CT model, βxxz presents a maximum value for 2θ = 109.47°, whereas βxxz and μz have the same sign. On the other hand, βzzz decreases monotonically with θ, and its variations with the CT character follow a curve with two extrema like for one-dimensional D/A chromophores. The ab initio and semiempirical calculations as well as the VB-2CT model show that Λ-shaped molecules with large first hyperpolarizability and specific η = βxxz/βzzz can be designed in order to build phase-matchable second-harmonic generation crystals.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3942-3951 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of physical chemistry A |
Volume | 107 |
Issue number | 19 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 May 2003 |