PROPERTIES AND APPLICATION OF ORGANIC-DYE ASSOCIATES IN POLYMER MATRICES

3,3'-Diethyloxadicarbocyanine iodide (DODCI)-dispersed polymer thin fi lms were produced by hot-press of DODCI molecules densely dissolved in several polymers (poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(2-hydroxypro pyl methacrylate) (PHPMA), etc.). A novel method for preparing a prefo rm powder by coprecipitation in vacuo has successfully been developed and compared with a conventional coprecipitation method which uses goo d and poor solvents for polymers. Experimentally, an acetone solution of DODCI and polymer was directly injected into ultrahigh vacuum from the liquid phase through a modified needle valve. Deposits were formed on a heat-controlled substrate with rapid evaporation of a carrier so lvent and they were hot-pressed to produce a transparent thin film. A new technique to control the allocation of dye associates in three-dim ensional space and a new concept for optical elements have been propos ed.