Modified polyimide side-chain polymers with high glass transition temperatures for nonlinear optical applications

Abstract

Novel modified polyimide polymers with nonlinear optical chromophores as pendent side groups show high glass transition temperatures and large nonlinear optical coefficients up to d<SUB>33</SUB> equals 78 pm/V at (lambda) equals 1313 nm (electro-optic coefficient r<SUB>33</SUB> equals 18 pm/V). Due to the high glass transition temperatures of up to 190 $DEGC an excellent long term stability of the nonlinearity results. Extrapolation from measurements at elevated temperatures predict long term stabilities of the nonlinearity in excess of tens of years at 80 $DEGC and hundreds to thousands of years at room temperature. The structural (molecular weight, glass transition temperature) and optical (refractive index, nonlinearity) properties of these polyimides can easily be varied which allows to taylor active layer and buffer layer materials.