Molecular magneto-optics

Abstract

We report on recent studies of magneto-optic properties and Faraday rotation of polythiophenes and macrocycles of 3- alkylthiophenes. The hypothesis of the existence of persistent currents, analogous to the persistent currents in mesoscopic metal structures, is forwarded as a relevant mechanism basic to the large Faraday rotation in conjugated polymers as well as for the ferromagnetic transition in these polymers at cryogenic temperatures. Macrocycles of alkylthiophenes are presented and discussed as fundamental structures to investigate persistent currents in nanoscopic organic materials.