A matrix based on germanium/ormosil system for all-optical applications

Germania/ormosil hybrid matrix with large third-order nonlinearity is prepared by a low-temperature sol-gel process. Z-scan measurements indicate that the film fabricated from the pure Germania/ormosil hybrid solution shows an excellent third-order nonlinearity at all measured wavelengths. In order to explore its potential to be a functional matrix, a well-investigated organic dopant disperse red 1 (DR1) azoaromatic chromophore is introduced into the Germania/ormosil system. As a comparison, the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer is employed and doped with the same content of DR1 molecule. Results indicate that by employing Germania/ormosil matrix system, the figure of merit of DR1-doped material at 532 nm can be greatly improved as compared to that of the PMMA/DR1 polymer film and also other published reports. This improvement helps broaden the limited applications of DR1-doped material and make it acceptable for devices fabrication at 532 nm. Results demonstrate that the as-prepared hybrid matrix might be a promising candidate for alloptical applications.