Orientational dynamics of DR1 molecules in sol–gel films

Abstract A physical model for the induced orientation of azochromophores in sol–gel films is presented. This model describes the poling time dependence of the order parameter Φ based on a damped oscillator. This model provides a different approach to the chromophore orientational dynamics, with the property that all its parameters are physical meaningful. The model results have been experimentally verified in DR1 doped sol–gel films, by means of optical absorption measurements. We considered two kinds of sol–gel films: amorphous with a side-chain doping and mesostructured ones with a guest–host doping. The experimental results were fitted successfully with our model.