Optically Active Organic Microrings

Rings of p -hexaphenyl molecules are generated on mica surfaces, possessing narrow size distributions with mean diameters of a few micrometers, wall widths of 100 to 200 nm, and wall heights of several hundred nanometers. Polarized linear and nonlinear optics reveals that the rings are made up of radially oriented and nonlinear optically active molecules. They lay parallel to the substrate surface and coexist with a wetting layer of upright oriented molecules.