Electric-field induced orientation of organic nanocrystals in sol–gel matrix

Abstract Organic nanocrystals embedded in sol–gel glasses are studied for quadratic nonlinear optical applications. Thermally assisted electric field poling is employed to orient nanocrystals thin films. The evolution of second-order susceptibility is monitored by in situ second-harmonic generation. Although it was possible to create some degree of noncentrosymmetric order, the orientation process is found to be hindered by the strong conductivity of the matrix and the nanocrystals–matrix interactions.