Defeating the Nonlinearity-Transparency Tradeoff

In order to be truly useful, nonlinear optical chromophores must have large molecular nonlinearities, high thermal decomposition temperatures, and low absorption coefficients at the application wavelengths. Yet it has been empirically observed that tradeoffs exist between nonlinearity and each of the other qualities (thermal stability and transparency). The ultimate success of organic nonlinear optical materials depends upon whether these tradeoffs can be defeated.