Stability-Efficiency Trade-Off in Non-Linear Optical Polymers

Organic nonlinear optical materials have been the subject of increasing interest over the past decade[1]. Polymeric materials with highly polarizable molecules exhibit nonresonant NLO responses surpassing those obtained from traditional inorganic NLO materials, e.g. LiNbO3, KDP etc. Polymers offer the possibilities to optimize, by chemical synthesis, properties required for materials such as high mechanical and thermal stability. The dielectric constants of polymers ensure a very fast response-time for polymer devices [2], Compared to guest-host polymers, side chain polymers whereby NLO molecules are covalently attached lead to an increased density of nonlinear chromophores and may therefore exhibit higher nonlinear susceptibilities.