title: Reversibly Trapping Visible Laser Light through the Catalytic Photo-oxidation of I(-) by Ru(bpy)3(2+).
abstract: A Gaussian, visible laser beam traveling in a hydrogel doped with NaI and Ru(bpy)3Cl2 spontaneously transforms into a localized, self-trapped beam, which propagates without diverging through the medium. The catalytic, laser-light-induced oxidation of I(-) by [Ru(bpy)3](2+) generates I3(-) species, which create a refractive index increase along the beam path. The result is a cylindrical waveguide, which traps the optical field as bound modes and suppresses natural diffraction. When the beam is switched off, diffusion of I3(-) erases the waveguide within minutes and the system reverts to its original composition, enabling regeneration of the self-trapped beam. Our findings demonstrate reversible self-trapping for the first time in a precisely controllable, molecular-level photoreaction and could open routes to circuitry-free photonics devices powered by the interactions of switchable self-trapped beams.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University , 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Derek R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Morim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University , 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vargas-Baca
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University , 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Kalaichelvi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saravanamuttu