Abstract
Hybrid films consisting of synthetic saponite (Smecton SA, SSA from Kunimine Ind. Co. Ltd., Japan) and a cationic fluorene; 1,1'-diethyl-4,4'-(9,9-diethyl-2,7-fluorenediyl-2,1-ethenediy1)- dipyridinium perchlorate (FL) were fabricated. The two-photon absorption (TPA) properties of the FL-SSA hybrid films were characterized by the open-aperture Z-scan technique. The maximum TPA cross-section (σ^<(2)>_<peak>) of the FL in methanol was 810GM (1GM=1×10^<50>cm^4 s photon^<-1> molecule^<-1>). On the other hand, σ^<(2)>_<peak> of the FL in a clay film fabricated at an FL loading of 10% versus cation exchange capacity was 1400GM. This enhancement of σ^<(2)>_<peak> resulted from improved molecular orientation of the FL resulting from periodic stacking of the clay layers in the film.
