Functionalized azo-based iminopyridine rhenium complexes for nonlinear optical performance

Abstract The nonlinear optical (NLO) performance of rhenium containing azo-based iminopyridine complexes is studied. For this scope, the proven methods of Maker fringe and Z-scan are used. The second and third harmonic generation (SHG and THG) measurements in produced guest-host polymeric films are performed and the corresponding high order susceptibilities are obtained. The Z-scan measurements in solutions are employed for the investigation of nonlinear refraction and nonlinear absorption properties of studied complexes. The enhanced NLO parameters of the Re-containing azo-based iminopyridine complexes comparing to their corresponding ligands confirm the positive role of metal complexation. Moreover, the polarity of connected lateral group has a considerable influence on NLO response of entire complex, in particular, on its NLO refraction behavior. This study promotes the better understanding of the structure-property relationship with possible prediction of NLO properties in such complexes as the design of such type of metal-organic systems has an essential impact on their NLO performance.