Photopolymers for non‐linear optics: Design and synthesis of a polymer containing styrene‐terminated tolane chromophores and its stabilization in an oriented configuration by photocrosslinking

Abstract

AbstractA new photocrosslinkable polymer designed for application in second harmonic generation has been prepared and tested for frequency doubling of IR lasers. The polymer is based on a colorless polyurethane with pendant tolane nonlinear optical chromophores that carry a polymerizable styrene moiety at their extremities. Photocrosslinking is achieved by irradiation of films containing a small amount of a bleachable radical photoinitiator. The effect of photoinduced radical crosslinking on the mobility of the chromophores has been studied by recording the intensity of the frequency doubled light, generated by a poled sample, with increasing temperature. As expected, photocrosslinking leads to NLO materials with highly stable chromophore orientation.