Electro-optic phase modulation and optical second-harmonic generation in corona-poled polymer films

Abstract

Electro-optic phase modulation was measured along with optical second-harmonic generation in thin films of a new copolymer containing a dicyanovinyl-terminated azo dye side chain. Orientational order was imparted to these films by poling with a corona discharge. Details of the electro-optic measurement technique, in which the real part of the electro-optic coefficient can be determined directly, are presented. Taking advantage of the increased orientation imparted by corona poling and the hindered motion of the nonlinear optical moiety in the side chain of the polymer leads to substantial improvements in both the magnitude and stability of nonlinear optical susceptibilities compared to guest-host polymer systems ordered by electrode poling.