Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Devices In Poled Polymers

Abstract

Guest-host poled polymer films have become an active area of research as potential candidates for second-order nonlinear optical and electro-optic devices. This interest derives mainly from their large nonlinear optical coefficients, ease of fabrication, and high optical quality. Progress has been rapid in producing stable, efficient materials, and in building demonstration devices. The second-order nonlinear optical properties arise from the orientational order induced in a collection of highly nonlinear molecules incorporated in a glassy polymer matrix. After reviewing the alignment physics, we present results of nonlinear optical measurements on a methacrylate polymer functionalized with a dicyanovinyl terminated azo dye. Device issues concerning nonlinear optical devices are described with-particular attention to phase-matching. We present data on the demonstration of anomalous-dispersion phase matched second harmonic generation in dye solutions. We also present results on electro-optic modulators.