Ferrocene carboxaldehyde thin films grown by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation for non linear optical applications

Thin films of ferrocene carboxaldehyde, also known as cyclopentadienyl(formylcyclopentadienyl)iron, were grown on silicon and glass substrates by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation technique, using a Nd:YAG device operating at 266 nm(4 omega). Spectroscopic-ellipsometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy investigations revealed that the films are homogeneous in thickness, with dense morphology and without cracks, low surface roughness (similar to 11 nm), and no significant chemical damage. Second harmonic generation capabilities of the thin films were evidenced by using a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.