Optoelectronic applications of organic materials

The rapidly developing area of optical communication systems has stimulated the search for materials with highly non-linear optical properties capable of forming the basis for devices for the efficient processing of optical signals. The author discusses various organic materials, and their use in optoelectronic devices. Devices considered fall into three distinct classes: Bulk crystal and thin film devices utilising the linear electro-optical effect with applications such as beam steering and deflection, optical couplers, gates and switches. Devices utilising second-order frequency mixing effects such as second harmonic generation, up- and down-frequency conversion and parametric amplification; and devices utilising the third-order effects including optically bistable elements and switches