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Photorefractivity In A Polymeric Composite Photosensitized With Nis Nanocrystals, Tyler M. Fears, Charles Anderson, Jeffrey G. Winiarz

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The photorefractive performance of a polymeric composite photosensitized through the inclusion of NiS nanocrystals is described. The nanocrystals were characterized using visible-absorption spectroscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We further demonstrate the ability to enhance various aspects of the composite's photorefractive performance by performing ligand exchange on the nanocrystals prior to their incorporation into the polymer composite. This procedure resulted in a lowering of the overmodulation voltage from ~70 to ~50 V/µm without affecting the maximum diffraction efficiency of ~40%. An increase in the two-beam-coupling gain coefficient was similarly observed, increasing from 38 to 79 cm−1. The photoconductivities …