2ND-ORDER NONLINEAR-OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF A PHOTOCROSSLINKABLE EPOXY-BASED POLYMER

The synthesis and characterization of a novel epoxy-based photocrossli nkable nonlinear optical (NLO) polymer exhibiting enhanced thermal sta bility is reported. The synthesized polymers show spectroscopic proper ties (NMR, IR, UV) in accordance with the proposed structures. A glass transition temperature (T-g) of 112 degrees C and a thermal degradati on temperature (T-d) of 310 degrees C were recorded. The poled polymer film exhibits stable second-order nonlinear optical activity (d(33) = 19.5 pm/V) over a period of 500 h as characterized by the temporal re sponse of the second harmonic signal at room temperature. (C) 1996 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.