Amplification of the linear and nonlinear optical response of a chiral molecular crystal

J Chem Phys. 2012 Apr 7;136(13):134501. doi: 10.1063/1.3697842.

Abstract

We have observed large second-order nonlinear optical and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) responses in a charge-transfer-type L-Histidinium salt. Using X-ray Diffraction, VCD spectroscopy, and time-dependent density functional theory to characterize the compound, we employ a two-level model to explain and quantify the strongly enhanced optical signals. We find that both linear and nonlinear optical responses are greatly enhanced by a single low-lying charge-transfer state.