Organic crystals for optoelectronic devices

Organic molecular crystals show some of the highest figures of merit performance for non- linear optical behavior and laser radiation damage. The use of these materials for device applications is limited however by the belief that they are difficult to prepare as high quality single crystalline bulk crystals and thin films. Even when obtained in this form, their mechanical properties are assumed to be unsuited for their preparation for incorporation in device systems. Over the past few years we have addressed these problems. Structurally and optically perfect crystals of large sizes have been prepared of a wide range of these materials despite their tendency to show extremely anisotropic growth behavior. Techniques have been developed which allow their orientation, cutting and polishing to optical standards. The work has also been extended to the preparation of high quality, single crystalline thin film samples by means of melt phase growth.