Poling Studies On Composition Modulated Nonlinear Polymeric Thin Films

• Published in: Digest on Nonlinear Optics: Materials, Phenomena and Devices pp. 202 - 203
• Main Authors: Morita, T., Higgins, B.G., Knoesent, A., Kowel, S.T.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 1990
• Subjects: Glass; Microstructure; Nonlinear optics; Optical films; Optical harmonic generation; Optical materials; Optical modulation; Optical polymers; Optical scattering; Polymer films
• DOI: 10.1109/NLO.1990.695910

Electric field poling has been used previously to obtain large macroscopic second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of polymer filmsl-4_ The chromophores can be dopants in the polymer matrix or covalently attached to the polymer chain. Ordinarily the polymer film is prepared by spin coating a polymer solution. Films prepared in this manner are generally homogeneous in composition. Of interest in this study is to determine whether the film microstructure prior to poling, i.e. the spatial distribution of the constituents, effects the alignment induced by poling, and subsequent relaxation of the chromophore orientation through changes in polymer free volume.