New materials for nonlinear optics.

The field of nonlinear optics has been characterized by a remarkable increase in research activities during the past decade. We summarize the specific research into nonlinear optical materials prepared by the sol-gel technology. The chapter describes the preparation of glasses doped by semiconductor nanoparticles such as CdS, CuCl, CuBr, Bi2S3 and PbI2, metal nanoparticles and organic dyes. The third order susceptibilities of the various materials are tabulated. Glasses doped by organic dyes, their preparation, and properties of second and third order nonlinearity are discussed. The potential of these materials for industrial and technical applications is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]