Nonlinear optical chromophores are provided that have a short chain bridging group between donor and acceptor, which chromophores exhibit lowered λ.sub.max values and narrow absorption bands. Electro-optic films prepared from nonlinear optical chromophores provided have enhanced transparency to wavelengths outside of the narrow absorption bands, as well as low optic loss, high thermal stability, and high photostability.

Disclosed are new zwitterionic compounds having a bridge moiety, an electron accepter moiety, and an electron donor moiety. The bridge moiety is covalently bonded to both the electron accepter moiety and to the electron donor moiety. The bridge moiety includes one selected from xanthene and thioxanthene, and the accepter moiety includes a pyridinium moiety, and the donor moiety includes a malononitrile moiety.

The present disclosure is directed to an optically active medium comprising dye aggregates and optionally a nucleotide oligomer or other nucleotide-based architecture, which may be used in in optical devices, in particular nonreciprocal devices (i.e., devices in which energy flows in one direction only), that can respond to differences in the polarization of light. An analysis is presented of the energy levels and the strengths of the optical transitions (changes in energy states) for a three-chromophore (dye) aggregate in which the chromophores are coupled with a J-like (i.e., end-to-end) stacking. Specific devices and methods of use are also disclosed herein.

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a method for selective surface functionalization using a single-photon source. The method for selective functionalization using a single-photon source includes: (a) adding a single-photon source to a solution containing a photosensitizer and a monomer; and (b) emitting a single photon from the single-photon source. One aspect of the present disclosure is a selectively functionalized single-photon source prepared by the method.

The present invention is directed, in general, to compositions containing electro-optic materials and high boiling point solvents allowing for improved, more efficient poling, as well as methods of poling such materials. Various embodiments of the present invention thus provide materials with excellent electro-optic properties which can be efficiently poled for use in electro-optic devices. In the various embodiments of the present invention, materials can be applied as thin films and efficiently poled at low temperatures with normally applied voltage, while simultaneously exhibiting excellent nonlinear optical macroscopic properties and thermal stability.

A method of grinding a semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite, the method including obtaining a semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite including a semiconductor nanocrystal and a first polymer, contacting the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite with an inert organic solvent; and grinding the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite in the presence of the inert organic solvent to grind the semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite.

There is provided an organic nonlinear optical material including a polymer binder and a compound represented by the following Formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein, in Formula (I), R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and L represents a divalent linking group connecting a nitrogen atom and an oxopyrroline ring having a dicyanomethylidene group in a π-conjugated system containing an azo group (—N═N—).

A method of poling an organic polymeric electro-optic material. The method includes doping the organic polymeric electro-optic material with nanoparticles. The method also includes heating the organic polymeric electro-optic material to a poling temperature. The method also includes poling the organic polymeric electro-optic material by applying an electric field across the organic polymeric electro-optic material.

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.