POLYMERS FOR PHOTONICS

Polymers have emerged as an important class of materials for applicati ons in photonics. In this review, a brief background is presented on p hotonics and nonlinear optical processes, the latter providing many of the operational functions for the photonics technology. Nonlinear opt ical processes in polymeric materials are discussed along with the nee ded structural requirements. The three types of nonlinear polymeric sy stems discussed are: (i) chi(2) materials; (ii) chi(3) materials and ( iii) photorefractive polymers. The photorefractive polymeric systems u tilize the combined action of photoconductivity and nonlinear optical effect. New developments using sol-gel processed inorganic glass: poly mer composites for nonlinear optics are discussed.