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 (4ω). 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 (∼11 nm), and no significant chemical damage. Second harmonic generation capabilities of the thin films were evidenced by using a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser.