Publications

The first vacuum-ultraviolet spectrum of a polysilylene (chain-type polysilane) with aromatic substituents is presented. Assignments of the absorption bands of the model compound poly(methylphenylsilylene) are based on previous experimental data and theoretical electronic band structure calculations for poly(alkylsilylenes) and on ultraviolet spectra of phenyl-containing monomers and polymers. Although aryl orbitals mix with the {sigma}-conjugated orbitals located along the catenated silicon backbone, some transitions are largely localized on the phenyl groups. These assignments elucidate the nature of the bonding in polysilylenes and should be useful in understanding photodegradation mechanisms and in the design of related new optical materials.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

The thermal stability of photo-imprinted Bragg gratings formed in reactive-atmosphere, RF-magnetron sputtered germanosilicate thin films was evaluated in terms of point defect modifications observed during isochronal annealing. Optical and magnetic spectroscopes were utilized to evaluate structural relaxation in these sputtered glasses on both a local and medium-range size scale. Depending upon the substrate temperature used during deposition, significant structural rearrangement was found to occur with increasing post-deposition anneal temperature to 600 C. This resulted in changes in the photobleaching response of the material itself as the identity of optically active structural defects evolved. Based on a color center model for photosensitivity in these materials and measured changes in optical absorption with annealing, the thermal stability of a photo-imprinted Bragg grating was modeled. Good qualitative agreement with experiment was observed.

Abstract not provided.

A lattice-Monte Carlo approach was developed to simulate ferroelectric domain behavior. The model utilizes a Hamiltonian for the total energy that includes electrostatic terms (involving dipole-dipole interactions, local polarization gradients, and applied electric field), and elastic strain energy. The contributions of these energy components to the domain structure and to the overall applied field response of the system were examined. In general, the model exhibited domain structure characteristics consistent with those observed in a tetragonally distorted ferroelectric. Good qualitative agreement between the appearance of simulated electrical hysteresis loops and those characteristic of real ferroelectric materials was found.