Synthesis and superior third-order nonlinear optical properties of the cluster (n-Bu4N)4[Mo8CU12O8S 24]

Abstract

A new inorganic cluster (n-Bu4N)4[Mo8Cu12O8S 24] was synthesized. It proves to be a superior molecular third-order nonlinear optical chromophore. Results from solution measurements of degenerate four-wave mixing and Z-scans at 532 nm show that the observed value of the third-order nonlinear molecular susceptibility, γ, is 5.7 × 10-28 esu with imaginary and real components, Im γ and Re γ, of 0.45 × 10-28 esu and -5.7 × 10-28 esu, respectively. The negative sign of Re γ reveals that the cluster has an interesting optical self-defocusing property. The third-order susceptibility (|χs (3)| = 3 × 10-6 esu, 532 nm) of the molecule in the solid state is extrapolated. © 1995 American Chemical Society.