Azo chromophores for nonlinear-optical application

Abstract

The review covered the works published after 2000 and is devoted to the synthesis of azo chromophores with nonlinear optical (NLO) properties that were estimated experimentally or theoretically. Since NLO properties are manly exhibited by the polymeric materials, the clear understanding of the paths leading to symbiotic relationship between azo chromophore and polymer is required. New strategy to the NLO materials involves the introduction of the guest chromophores into the azo chromophore-containing dendritic polymer host, namely, the use of two different chromophores in the same polymer matrix.