Nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction in ruthenium alkyn...

The studies of third-order nonlinear optical properties of organometallic compounds containing ruthenium and 'pi'-conjugated organic segments (phenylene, ethenylene, and ethynylene) is described. Our special interest has been in trigonal (octupolar) structures and in extending the structures towards dendrimers. The merit of these compounds as nonlinear absorbers and for use in electrically-controlled nonlinear devices is discussed.