Efficient molecular photorefractive materials based on methine dyes

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Abstract
This letter reports a series of molecular materials that shows efficient photorefractive effect. The materials which consist of monolithic methine dye molecules can form amorphous films. A net photorefractive gain of 215 cm−1 and a diffraction efficiency of 87.6% at a semiconductor laser wavelength of 780 nm are observed. These materials are the simplest molecular materials and possess the best photorefractive performances. Due to the large photorefractive effect, optical self-defocusing and instability of the laser beam are observed in these materials when the applied electric field is above a threshold.