Enhancing The Hyperpolarizabilities Of Finite Polyenes

Improved strategy for exploiting unusual optical properties to enhance molecular hyperpolarizabilities by introducing "defect" quantum-mechanical states and produce molecules switched photochemically or electrochemically between states characterized by different second molecular hyperpolarizabilities. Strategy, conjugation and/or substitution defects, electrically neutral or charged dopant orimpurity atoms or groups thereof, incorporated into finite polyene. Defects in finite polyenes alter second molecular hyperpolarizabilities. Transient large second hyperpolarizabilities attainable in molecules of structure II.