The first hyperpolarizability £], which is an important factor in the second-order nonlinear optical effect, of the 5-6-5 heterocyclic rigid-rod chromophores-based derivatives has been systematically investigated in this work, applying the first principle based software CASTEP and the semi-empirical software MOPAC There are four factors chosen for this computational analysis, including the effects of (i) various rigid-rod molecules, (ii) auxiliary ability of various five-member rings, (iii) donor ability, and (iv) conjugation length. Results indicate that the benzobisimidazole (BBI)-based derivatives have larger £] values than those of benzobisthiazole (BBT) and benzobisoxazole (BBO)-based derivatives. The auxiliary donor ability of the pyrrole is larger than that of the thiophene and furan. In general, the £] value of various derivatives studied is parallel to the original donor strength and the trend in the donor is -N(CH3)2 > -NH2 > -OH > -CH3. In addition, the greater the conjugation length in the derivatives is, the higher the £] value. Further, from the analyses on the band-resolved £] values and the orbital density figures, it is found that the major contribution to the enhanced £] comes primarily from an efficient charge transfer from the donor side via the intermediate heterocyclic bridge to the acceptor side. Finally, a comparison between CASTEP and MOPAC reveals that CASTEP is more appropriate and accurate in predicting the optical properties of the heterocyclic-ring-based derivatives.

The linear absorption spectrum and resonance Raman spectrum of a series of charge-transfer molecules in solution are measured. The results are fitted to theoretical expressions. The dispersion of the first hyper-polarizability is investigated by substituting the parameters, which are obtained from the fit. The results are compared with Wang's formula modified from the simple Oudar and Chemla two-level model. The resonance Raman spectra and Raman profiles show that only one excited state exists in two of the charge-transfer molecules and two excited states are present in three other molecules investigated in this expeariment. It is concluded that Wang's modified formula is only valid to account for the dispersion of the first hyperpolarizability when there is only one excited vibronic state.

Nesta tese apresentamos uma extensão da técnica de espalhamento hiper-Rayleigh (HRS) e sua aplicação para o estudo dos mecanismos que interferem na primeira hiperpolarizabilidade molecular (). Utilizamos um laser Nd:YAG, Q-switched e mode-locked como bombeio para excitar as amostras. Este laser emite pulsos de 100 ps modulados por uma envoltória de Q-switch. A saída é uma seqüência de pulsos com intensidades que acompanham a forma da envoltória. Usamos este trem de pulsos para excitar as amostras na medida de espalhamento hiper-Rayleigh, e um sistema de detecção com resolução temporal suficiente para resolver cada pulso independentemente. Esta modalidade de bombeio permitiu eliminar o controle mecânico da intensidade, o que reduziu o tempo necessário para a medida e melhorou a estabilidade nas condições experimentais. O método com trem de pulsos proporciona meios de identificar contribuições luminescentes e evitar valores superestimados para a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade. Realizamos testes medindo a molécula de paranitroanilina em vários solventes e verificamos muito boa reprodutibilidade dos valores da literatura. Comparamos os resultados medidos com valores calculados a partir do método de Hartree-Fock e corrigimos o engrandecimento por ressonância utilizando um modelo de dois níveis. A comparação entre valores teóricos e experimentais teve uma diferença média de 15%. Um estudo análogo para a molécula de dianilina não reproduziu os valores experimentais e atribuímos a falha à inaplicabilidade do modelo de dois níveis para medidas no regime ressonante. Também estudamos a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade nas porfirinas TDMImP e TPPS4, sob a forma base livre e formando complexos com Zn2+, Fe3+ e Mn3+. Para a TPPS4 estendemos o estudo para observar os efeitos da protonação na base livre e da formação de oxo dímeros na FeTPPS4 e as alterações causadas pela presença de micelas de CTAB. A comparação direta entre os resultados é dificultada em muitos casos pela diferença no engrandecimento por ressonância. Foi possível verificar que a presença de micelas tem o efeito de diminuir o valor de na H2TPPS4 pH 7. As medidas de HRS em ambiente ácido (pH 4) corroboram com a literatura, indicando que a ocorre desprotonação na presença de micelas. Um estudo teórico e experimental dos três isômeros do aminofenol permitiu analisar os efeitos da posição relativa dos grupos radicais e do comprimento da conjugação sobre a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade. Verificamos que a alteração no caráter doador/aceitador para diferentes posições dos grupos radicais tem influência maior no valor de do que o comprimento da conjugação. Utilizamos compostos com o ligante salen, com grupos laterais etano e DR1 e com ligantes H2, Cu2+, Ni2+ e VO2+, para estudar como os diferentes grupos e complexos refletem diferenças no valor de . Foi possível verificar que diferentemente da absorção linear e da seção de choque para dois fótons, o ligante com grupos radicais DR1 causam um aumento na primeira hiperpolarizabilidade que é muito maior do que a soma das contribuições individuais. Os complexos têm primeiras hiperpolarizabilidades maiores do que o ligante com H2 e a comparação entre os dois grupos com diferentes radicais mostra que existe uma correlação entre os aumentos causados por diferentes complexos. / This thesis reports an extension of the Hyper-Rayleigh scattering technique (HRS) and its application to study the mechanisms that contribute to the molecular first hyperpolarizabilities (). We use a Nd:YAG laser, Q-switched and mode-locked, as pumping beam to excite the samples. The laser delivers 100 ps pulses modulated by a Q-switch envelope, and the output is a pulse sequence which intensities follow the shape of the envelope. This pulse train is used to excite the samples in a Hyper-Rayleigh scattering experiment and the signal for each mode-lock pulse is detected independently. This modality of pumping allows the removal of the mechanical intensity control, therefore reducing measurement time and improved experimental stability. The method with pulse train also provides means to identify luminescent contributions and avoid overestimated values for the first hyperpolarizability. We performed test measurements with para-nitroaniline in several solvents and verified very good reproducibility of literature values. We also compared the measured and calculated values, obtained with the Hartree-Fock method and corrected for resonance enhancement with a two level model. The comparison between theoretical and experimental values results in an average difference of 15%. Similar studies for the dianiline molecule failed to reproduce experimental values and we attributed the failure to the inadequacy of the of the two-level model to correct resonance enhancement. We also studied the first hyperpolarizability of the TDMImP and TPPS4 porphyrins, in the free-base form and in complex with Zn2+, Fe3+ and Mn3+. For TPPS4 we extended the study to observe the protonação effects in the free-base and the formation of oxo dimmers in FeTPPS4 complexes. The comparison between results from different compounds is hindered in most cases by different contributions from resonance enhancement. However, it was possible to verify that the presence of micelles has the effect of reducing the value of on H2TPPS4 pH 7. The HRS measurements in acid environment (pH 4) corroborates with the literature, indicating that desprotonation occurs in the presence of CTAB micelles. A theoretical and experimental study of three aminofenol isomers allowed to verify the effects of the relative positions of radical groups and the conjugation length on the first hyperpolarizability. The results show that in this case the change in the donor/acceptor character for different positions of the radical groups is more important than the increase in one unit in the conjugation length. We also studied compounds with the salen ligant, observing the effects of different lateral groups (ethane and DR1) and different complexes (H2, Cu2+, Ni2+ and VO2+) on the value of . It was possible to verify that, differently than the linear absorption the two-photon cross section, the compounds with DR1 shows an increase in the first hyperpolarizability that is much larger than the sum of the individual contributions of DR1 groups. The metal complexes have larger first hyperpolarizabilities than the ligant and the enhancement produced by different complexes follows the same pattern for both radical groups. Even after the strong increase in produced by the DR1 group, the much weaker effect of the complexes is preserved and measurable.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-02-06T18:21:03Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Bruno Pontes Caixeta - 2014.pdf: 1763848 bytes, checksum: 7462015149307babdc173bd055c436f9 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-02-06T18:21:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Bruno Pontes Caixeta - 2014.pdf: 1763848 bytes, checksum: 7462015149307babdc173bd055c436f9 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-06T18:21:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Bruno Pontes Caixeta - 2014.pdf: 1763848 bytes, checksum: 7462015149307babdc173bd055c436f9 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-07 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In this study, the synthesis of five carbonylcyanidephenylhydrazone (ccp), with general formula [RC6H4NHNC(CN)2], where R (= -CH3, -H, -COOH, -CN e -NO2), and their coordination complexes with Ag(I) is presented. Subsequently, these compounds were characterized using spectroscopic methods. The analysis of the compound ccp-H by X Ray diffraction reveals that structurally this compound consists of a nearly linear and planar polymeric form. Data from infrared spectroscopy suggest the formation of hydrogen bonds between the units ccp. In the synthesized Ag(I) coordination compounds, the coordination of each Ag(I) occurs with three ccp units, forming a tridentate ligand-metal coordination with the formation of a three-dimensional structure. In the evaluation of the potential of these compounds to present expressive nonlinear optical properties (NLO), with special attention to the first hyperpolarizability (β), methods from Density Functional Theory (DFT) were employed to describe the structural and electronic characteristics of these compounds, and in the calculation of this parameter. The results show that the incorporation of a group with a strong electron acceptor character, along with the introduction of Ag(I), increases significantly the  values. On the other hand, the results suggest that the CAM-B3LYP functional provides more reliable  values, since the calculations based on this functional reproduced well experimental values of  related to compounds used to calibrate the instrumentation used in these measurements. Based on the estimated  values, it is expected that the studied coordination polymers present promising characteristics for use in photonic devices. / Neste estudo, a síntese de cinco carbonilcianetofenilhidrazonas (ccp), com fórmula geral [RC6H4NHNC(CN)2], onde R = -CH3, -H, -COOH, -CN e -NO2, e de seus compostos de coordenação com Ag(I), é apresentada. Esses compostos foram subsequentemente analisados do ponto de vista espectroscópico. A análise por difração de Raios X em monocristal do composto ccp-H revela que o mesmo é uma forma polimérica estruturalmente planar e praticamente linear. Resultados obtidos por espectroscopia no infravermelho sugerem a formação de ligações de hidrogênio entre as unidades ccp. Nos compostos de coordenação sintetizados, a coordenação de cada íon Ag(I) envolve três unidades ccp, resultando em uma coordenação tridentada entre os ligantes e o metal, resultando em uma estrutura tridimensional. Na avaliação do potencial desses compostos de apresentarem propriedades ópticas não lineares (ONL) expressivas, com atenção especial para a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade (β), foram empregados métodos da Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT) na descrição estrutural e eletrônica, e no cálculo de parâmetros ópticos não-lineares. Os resultados mostram que a incorporação de um grupo com um forte caráter aceitador de elétrons e a introdução de Ag(I) aumenta significativamente os valores de . Por outro lado, os resultados sugerem que o funcional CAM-B3LYP deve fornecer os valores mais confiáveis de , já que nos cálculos com este funcional conseguiu-se reproduzir valores experimentais do  de padrões usados para aferir a instrumentação usada nessas medidas. Com base no observado, espera-se que os polímeros de coordenação apresentem características promissoras para aplicação em dispositivos fotônicos.

Nesta tese apresentamos uma extensão da técnica de espalhamento hiper-Rayleigh (HRS) e sua aplicação para o estudo dos mecanismos que interferem na primeira hiperpolarizabilidade molecular (). Utilizamos um laser Nd:YAG, Q-switched e mode-locked como bombeio para excitar as amostras. Este laser emite pulsos de 100 ps modulados por uma envoltória de Q-switch. A saída é uma seqüência de pulsos com intensidades que acompanham a forma da envoltória. Usamos este trem de pulsos para excitar as amostras na medida de espalhamento hiper-Rayleigh, e um sistema de detecção com resolução temporal suficiente para resolver cada pulso independentemente. Esta modalidade de bombeio permitiu eliminar o controle mecânico da intensidade, o que reduziu o tempo necessário para a medida e melhorou a estabilidade nas condições experimentais. O método com trem de pulsos proporciona meios de identificar contribuições luminescentes e evitar valores superestimados para a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade. Realizamos testes medindo a molécula de paranitroanilina em vários solventes e verificamos muito boa reprodutibilidade dos valores da literatura. Comparamos os resultados medidos com valores calculados a partir do método de Hartree-Fock e corrigimos o engrandecimento por ressonância utilizando um modelo de dois níveis. A comparação entre valores teóricos e experimentais teve uma diferença média de 15%. Um estudo análogo para a molécula de dianilina não reproduziu os valores experimentais e atribuímos a falha à inaplicabilidade do modelo de dois níveis para medidas no regime ressonante. Também estudamos a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade nas porfirinas TDMImP e TPPS4, sob a forma base livre e formando complexos com Zn2+, Fe3+ e Mn3+. Para a TPPS4 estendemos o estudo para observar os efeitos da protonação na base livre e da formação de oxo dímeros na FeTPPS4 e as alterações causadas pela presença de micelas de CTAB. A comparação direta entre os resultados é dificultada em muitos casos pela diferença no engrandecimento por ressonância. Foi possível verificar que a presença de micelas tem o efeito de diminuir o valor de na H2TPPS4 pH 7. As medidas de HRS em ambiente ácido (pH 4) corroboram com a literatura, indicando que a ocorre desprotonação na presença de micelas. Um estudo teórico e experimental dos três isômeros do aminofenol permitiu analisar os efeitos da posição relativa dos grupos radicais e do comprimento da conjugação sobre a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade. Verificamos que a alteração no caráter doador/aceitador para diferentes posições dos grupos radicais tem influência maior no valor de do que o comprimento da conjugação. Utilizamos compostos com o ligante salen, com grupos laterais etano e DR1 e com ligantes H2, Cu2+, Ni2+ e VO2+, para estudar como os diferentes grupos e complexos refletem diferenças no valor de . Foi possível verificar que diferentemente da absorção linear e da seção de choque para dois fótons, o ligante com grupos radicais DR1 causam um aumento na primeira hiperpolarizabilidade que é muito maior do que a soma das contribuições individuais. Os complexos têm primeiras hiperpolarizabilidades maiores do que o ligante com H2 e a comparação entre os dois grupos com diferentes radicais mostra que existe uma correlação entre os aumentos causados por diferentes complexos. / This thesis reports an extension of the Hyper-Rayleigh scattering technique (HRS) and its application to study the mechanisms that contribute to the molecular first hyperpolarizabilities (). We use a Nd:YAG laser, Q-switched and mode-locked, as pumping beam to excite the samples. The laser delivers 100 ps pulses modulated by a Q-switch envelope, and the output is a pulse sequence which intensities follow the shape of the envelope. This pulse train is used to excite the samples in a Hyper-Rayleigh scattering experiment and the signal for each mode-lock pulse is detected independently. This modality of pumping allows the removal of the mechanical intensity control, therefore reducing measurement time and improved experimental stability. The method with pulse train also provides means to identify luminescent contributions and avoid overestimated values for the first hyperpolarizability. We performed test measurements with para-nitroaniline in several solvents and verified very good reproducibility of literature values. We also compared the measured and calculated values, obtained with the Hartree-Fock method and corrected for resonance enhancement with a two level model. The comparison between theoretical and experimental values results in an average difference of 15%. Similar studies for the dianiline molecule failed to reproduce experimental values and we attributed the failure to the inadequacy of the of the two-level model to correct resonance enhancement. We also studied the first hyperpolarizability of the TDMImP and TPPS4 porphyrins, in the free-base form and in complex with Zn2+, Fe3+ and Mn3+. For TPPS4 we extended the study to observe the protonação effects in the free-base and the formation of oxo dimmers in FeTPPS4 complexes. The comparison between results from different compounds is hindered in most cases by different contributions from resonance enhancement. However, it was possible to verify that the presence of micelles has the effect of reducing the value of on H2TPPS4 pH 7. The HRS measurements in acid environment (pH 4) corroborates with the literature, indicating that desprotonation occurs in the presence of CTAB micelles. A theoretical and experimental study of three aminofenol isomers allowed to verify the effects of the relative positions of radical groups and the conjugation length on the first hyperpolarizability. The results show that in this case the change in the donor/acceptor character for different positions of the radical groups is more important than the increase in one unit in the conjugation length. We also studied compounds with the salen ligant, observing the effects of different lateral groups (ethane and DR1) and different complexes (H2, Cu2+, Ni2+ and VO2+) on the value of . It was possible to verify that, differently than the linear absorption the two-photon cross section, the compounds with DR1 shows an increase in the first hyperpolarizability that is much larger than the sum of the individual contributions of DR1 groups. The metal complexes have larger first hyperpolarizabilities than the ligant and the enhancement produced by different complexes follows the same pattern for both radical groups. Even after the strong increase in produced by the DR1 group, the much weaker effect of the complexes is preserved and measurable.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2017-09-11T17:54:42Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação -Guilherme de Sousa Francisco - 2017.pdf: 2494658 bytes, checksum: 90f14f98ee056de8c44123948fa2113a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-09-18T12:01:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação -Guilherme de Sousa Francisco - 2017.pdf: 2494658 bytes, checksum: 90f14f98ee056de8c44123948fa2113a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-18T12:01:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação -Guilherme de Sousa Francisco - 2017.pdf: 2494658 bytes, checksum: 90f14f98ee056de8c44123948fa2113a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-14 / In recent decades, the search for materials with nonlinear optical (NLO) properties was intensified and currently covers a large variety of materials such as semiconductor multilayer structures, organic, inorganic and organometallic compounds. Non-linear optical materials have been of great interest in Physics and Chemistry of materials due to its potential applications in new technologies such as, electro-optical devices with optical keys, frequency converters and electro-optical modulators and photonic devices engineering. In this work we used Hartree Fock methods (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT), as implemented in the Gaussian09 package to obtain the geometric properties, electronics and optical from the compounds 4-nitroaniline, chalcone and malonic acid Salicyl-hydrazone ((HO_2 C)(C_6 H_3)(OH)NHNCH(COOH)_2). As the latter compound is not in literature, for the first time is presented a possible geometric structure, which the simulation shows a planar structure with asymmetry due to its “push-pull” character which are important characteristics for the second harmonic generation (SHG). Some properties were obtained, such as the dipole moment, polarizability and hyperpolarizabilities of the first compound order. Preliminary results show that the DFT produces larger values of hyperpolarizability by comparing with the results obtained by the Hartree Fock method. The hyperpolarizability is sensitive to the choice of the system of calculation, so in this work we used several arrangements of the basic functions as Pople Nernst, in addition to others found in the literature, in order to obtain the best possible description of the studied system. / Intensificou-se nas últimas décadas a busca por materiais com propriedades ópticas não lineares (ONL) e atualmente cobre uma grande variedade de materiais como estruturas semicondutoras multicamada, compostos orgânicos, inorgânicos e organometálicos. Materiais ópticos não lineares tem sido de grande interesse em Física e Química de materiais devido a potenciais aplicações em novas tecnologias como por exemplo, dispositivos eletro-ópticos com chaves ópticas, conversores de frequência e moduladores eletro-ópticos e engenharia de dispositivos fotônicos. Neste trabalho utilizou-se métodos Hartree Fock (HF) e Teoria Funcional da Densidade (DFT), como implementado no pacote Gaussian09, para obter as propriedades geométricas, eletrônicas e ópticas dos compostos 4-nitroanilina, chalcona e o Salicilhidrazona do ácido malônico ((HO_2 C)(C_6 H_3)(OH)NHNCH(COOH)_2). Como este último composto não se encontra na literatura, pela primeira vez é apresentado uma possível estrutura geométrica, onde a simulação mostra uma estrutura planar, possuindo assimetria devido o carater “push-pull”, que são características importantes para geração de segundo harmônico(SHG). Foram obtidas as propriedades, momento de dipolo, polarizabilidade e hiperpolarizabilidades de primeira ordem do composto. Os resultados preliminares mostram que a DFT produz valores maiores da hiperpolarizabilidade comparando com os resultados obtidos pelo método Hartree-Fock. A hiperpolarizabilidade é sensivel à escolha do regime de cálculo, por isso neste trabalho utilizou-se vários arranjos das funções de base tipo Pople Nernst, além de outras encontradas na literatura, afim de obter a melhor descrição possível do sistema estudado.

Recent years have shown a dramatic growth of research activity in searching of materials that exhibit nonlinear optical (NLO) behaviours. Later investigations have shown that molecule-based organic materials and biomaterials possess advantages in NLO characteristics. This thesis is devoted to the theoretical and experimental study of the second-order nonlinear optical properties of native and modified bacteriorhodopsins. A hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical-configuration interaction (QM/MM-CI) method has been used to determine the nonlinear behaviour of modified BR. The calculated structures are the ground state and M1 state of wild type BR, several BR variants, the BR mutants W86F, W189F, W182F, W138C, Y185F, and Y83F as well as a photoreceptor NpSRII. The first hyperpolarizability of two available BR mutants W86F and D85C has been determined by means of the HRS technique. The experimentally determined first hyperpolarizability value for the mutant W86F is in good agreement with that obtained theoretically. Simultaneously with the time-resolved absorption spectroscopy measurements, the time-dependent HRS measurements were performed. Changes in the HRS signal during the photocycle were detected. The kinetics of time-resolved HRS and flash spectroscopy measurements of BR and the BR mutants T46C, R225C, R227C, D96C, and D85C were compared. The obtained kinetic constant are comparable with those determined by means of absorption spectroscopy. However, an unexpected decrease in the HRS intensity during the M to N transition was observed. The program "MultiFit" (written in the Delphi environment) as well as data acquisition software (written in the C environment) can be found online at: http://repositorium.uni-osnabrueck.de/bitstream/urn:nbn:de:gbv:700-2008020119/4/MultiFit.zip and: http://repositorium.uni-osnabrueck.de/bitstream/urn:nbn:de:gbv:700-2008020119/5/TRAS.zip

Cette thèse a pour objectif l’étude des propriétés optiques non linéaires (ONL) de second ordre de molécules de référence et de composés organiques photochromes, via des calculs de chimie quantique et des expériences de diffusion Hyper-Rayleigh (HRS). L’étude des réponses optiques de second harmonique d’une série de solvants organiques met tout d’abord en évidence la nécessité d’utiliser des méthodes théoriques intégrant les effets de la corrélation électronique, les effets d’environnement, ainsi que des bases très étendues pour évaluer quantitativement les premières hyperpolarisabilités moléculaires. La décomposition du tenseur de première hyperpolarisabilité en contributions dipolaires et octupolaires via le formalisme des harmoniques sphériques permet également d’illustrer l’effet de la symétrie des composés sur leurs réponses ONL. La seconde étude porte sur la caractérisation des effets de solvant sur les propriétés ONL d’un dérivé anil présentant un équilibre entre une forme énol et une forme cétone. Il est démontré que l’équilibre énol/cétone peut être déplacé vers la forme cétone en augmentant la proportion d’éthanol dans le mélange binaire de solvants éthanol/cyclohexane, conduisant à une augmentation de l’intensité HRS du mélange. La dernière partie de la thèse propose une étude théorique systématique des effets de substitution sur les propriétés ONL de sels de flavylium, dans le but d’optimiser le contraste des réponses ONL entre les différentes formes des composés. Il est démontré qu’une combinaison optimale de substituants permet d’obtenir de forts contrastes, démontrant le potentiel de ces composés comme systèmes multi-états pour des applications ONL. / This PhD addresses the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the reference organic molecules and molecular switches, by means of quantum chemical calculations and Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) measurements. The thorough investigation of the NLO responses of a series of organic solvents first evidences the need of using theoretical methods including environment and electron correlation effects, as well as highly extended basis sets to quantitatively evaluate the molecular first hyperpolarizabilities. Decomposing the first hyperpolarizability tensor into dipolar and octupolar contributions via the spherical harmonics formalism also highlights the impact of the molecular symmetry on the NLO responses. The second part addresses the solvent effects on the NLO properties of an anil derivative, which exhibits an equilibrium between a enol and a keto form. It is shown that the enol/keto equilibrium is shifted towards the keto form when increasing the ethanol ratio in ethanol/cyclohexane solvent mixtures, leading to an increase of the HRS intensity. The last part addresses the effects of the chemical substituents on the NLO properties of flavylium salts, with the aim of optimizing the NLO contrasts between the various forms of the compounds. It is found that optimal combinations of chemical substituents lead to high NLO contrats, which demonstrates the potential of these compounds as multi-states systems for NLO applications

Les interrupteurs moléculaires sont des composés capables de commuterréversiblement entre deux ou plusieurs états stables en réponse à un stimulusextérieur. Lʼobjectif de la thèse est la conception dʼinterrupteurs moléculairesprésentant des contrastes optiques non-linéaires (ONL) et la mise évidence desparamètres structuraux et électroniques menant à dʼimportants contrastes depremière hyperpolarisabilité (β) via une approche multidisciplinaire qui combine lasynthèse de nouveaux composés, la caractérisation de leurs réponses optiqueslinéaires et non-linéaires par spectroscopie dʼabsorption UV-visible et par diffusionhyper-Rayleigh et lʼutilisation des méthodes de la chimie théorique afin de prédire etdʼinterpréter les propriétés moléculaires. Ces phénomènes de commutationsréversibles et les changements de propriétés qui les accompagnent présentent denombreux intérêts, tant technologiques comme lʼélaboration dʼordinateursmoléculaires quʼau niveau des organismes vivants où de nombreuses fonctionsbiologiques sont basées sur un phénomène de commutation. Les principaux résultatsde nos travaux se situent au niveau de lʼinterprétation des réponses ONL et de leurscontrastes en fonction de la nature, de la position et du caractère donneur/accepteurdes substituants présents sur le squelette des interrupteurs moléculaires. / Molecular switches are compounds presenting the ability to commutereversibly between two or more states in response to external stimuli. The goal of thework is the design of molecular switches exhibiting contrasts of their second-ordernonlinear optical (NLO) properties and the highlight of the structural and electronicparameters leading to large contrasts of first hyperpolarizability (β) via amultidisciplinary approach combining the synthesis of new compounds, thecharacterization of their linear (by UV-Visible absorption spectroscopy) and nonlinearoptical properties (by hyper Rayleigh scattering), and the theoretical simulations inorder to predict and interpret molecular properties. These reversible switchingprocesses and the resulting variations of molecular properties have many interests intechnological area such as the development of molecular computers or in lifesciences since many biological functions are based on commutation mechanisms.The major results of our investigations are the interpretation of the NLO responsesand contrasts as a function of the nature, the positioning, and the donor/acceptorcharacter of the substituents.

Compostos orgânicos constituem uma classe interessante de materiais para aplicações em óptica por apresentarem boa processabilidade, relativa facilidade para integração em dispositivos e, principalmente, pela possibilidade de otimização de suas propriedades ópticas através da engenharia molecular. Várias estratégias têm sido empregadas para sintetizar moléculas orgânicas, que exibam singificativos efeitos ópticos não lineares. Nesta direção, nos últimos anos moléculas multi-ramificadas vêm sendo produzidas com o objetivo de intensificar efeitos não lineares, já que estas podem exibir um forte efeito cooperativo entre seus ramos. Nesta tese estudamos a relação da absorção de dois fótons (A2F) e da primeira hiperpolarizabilidade com a estrutura molecular, para um conjunto de nove derivados de trifenilamina com diferentes grupos aceitadores de elétrons arranjadas em geometrias dipolar, quadrupolar e octopolar. O processo A2F foi estudados através da técnica de Varredura-Z, enquanto que a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade foi caracterizada pela técnica de espelhamento hiper Rayleigh. Os dados experimentais para a absorção de dois fótons revelaram espectros bem definidos, com valores razoáveis de seção de choque na região do visível e infravermelho próximo. Observamos ainda um engrandecimento para a seção de choque de A2F para as moléculas quadrupolares. Os resultados obtidos para a primeira hiperpolarizabilidade (β) mostraram que moléculas quadrupolares apresentam maior β do que as dipolares e octopolares, portanto, nossos resultados permitem concluir que o acoplamento eletrônico entre os ramos contribuem fortemente para a seção de choque por A2F e β nas moléculas quadrupolares, não sendo este processo relevante nas moléculas octopolares. Todos os resultados foram interpretados por meio de estudos teóricos empregando a teoria do funcional da densidade (DFT). / Organic compounds constitute an interesting class of materials for optical applications due to their excellent processability, easy integration into devices and, mainly, the possibility of optimizing its optical properties through molecular engineering. Several strategies have been employed to synthesize organic molecules, which exhibit significant nonlinear optical effects. In this direction, in the last few years multi-branched molecules have been obtained aiming at intensifying nonlinear optical effects, since they may exhibit a strong cooperative effect among their branches. On this thesis we have studied the relationship of two-photon absorption (2PA) and first hyperpolarizability with the molecular structure of a group of nine triphenylamine derivatives attached to distinct electron acceptor groups arranged in dipole, quadrupole and octopolar geometries. The 2PA process was studied by Z-scan technique, while the first hyperpolarizability was characterized by the hyper-Rayleigh scattering technique. The experimental data for two-photon absorption revealed well-defined spectra with reasonable cross section magnitude in the visible and near infrared range. We also observed an enhancement of the 2PA cross-section for the quadrupolar molecules in comparison to the dipolar and octopolar ones. The results obtained for the first hyperpolarizability (β) shown that the quadrupolar molecules present higher β than the dipolar and octopolar, suggesting that the electronic coupling between the branches strongly contribute to the 2PA cross-section and β in quadrupolar molecules, being not relevant in the octopolar molecules. All results were interpreted through theoretical studies based on the density functional theory (DFT).