Application of second-harmonic generation to determine the structure of Langmuir-Blodgett films of low symmetry

This paper aims to show that second-harmonic generation (SHG) can provide detailed and reliable information about the molecular ordering in films of very low symmetry. SHG properties are characterized using an optical measurement technique that allows the relative values of the susceptibility tensor components to be accurately determined. Results show that the orientation and the structure of the film is governed by how the monolayer is formed on the subphase and how it is transferred onto the substrate.