title: Multichromophores for nonlinear optics: designing the material properties by electrostatic interactions.
abstract: To fully exploit the promise of molecular materials for NLO applications, inter- and supramolecular interactions must be accounted for. We review our recent work on electrostatic interchromophore interactions in multichromophores for NLO applications. The discussion is based on a bottom-up modeling strategy: each chromophore is described in terms of an essential state model, validated and parameterized against spectroscopic data for solvated chromophores. The relevant information is then used to build a model for clusters of chromophores interacting through electrostatic forces. Exact NLO responses and spectra calculated within this model fully account for collective and cooperative interchromophore interactions, which can either amplify or suppress NLO responses; supramolecular engineering of multichromophores is a powerful tool for the design of NLO materials. Moreover, new features emerge in multichromophores with no counterpart at the single-chromophore level, offering new exciting opportunities for applications.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica GIAF, Parma University, Parco Area delle Scienza 17A, 43100 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Terenziani
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Avino
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Painelli
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004583:Electrons; D008956:Models, Chemical; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D055672:Static Electricity