Pyrroline Chromophores for Electro-Optics

Abstract

We have synthesized a new class of highly efficient nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores based on the novel tricyanopyrroline (TCP) electron acceptor. Molecular linear and nonlinear optical properties of the prototypical chromophores were measured and calculated to understand structure−property relationships. One such chromophore showed molecular first hyperpolarizability (β) of (8700 ± 702) × 10-30 esu at excitation wavelengths of 1.9 μm, and another showed macroscopic electro-optic (EO) coefficients (r33) of 51 pm/V at 1.55 μm with 20 wt % chromophore loading when poled with 65 V/μm in amorphous polycarbonate film. Synthetic strategies for extending the utility of the acceptor and chromophores are discussed.