Characterization of a side chain polymer for second-order nonlinear optical properties

We report the characterization of copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA) a nd 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2[[[[4-methyl-3-[[(2-methyl-4-nitrophenyl)a mino] carbonyl]aminophenyl]carbonyl]oxy]ethyl ester (PAMEE) exhibiting nonl inear optical (NLO) properties. The linear copolymer, poly(MMA-co-PAMEE), w ith a NLO chromophore incorporated into PAMME exhibits a high glass transit ion temperature of 131 degrees C, as determined by DSC. The thin films of c opolymers, which were cast on microscopic glass slides, were optically tran sparent, and the corona poled polymers produced relatively large and stable second harmonic generation (SHG) signals at room temperature. The nonlinea r coefficient d(33) of the crosslinked copolymer containing 30 wt % PAMEE w as 30.8 pm/V. The SHG signal strength remained unchanged, even after 120 da ys, and exhibited excellent thermal stability at. 65 degrees C. (C) 1999 Jo hn Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1245-1254, 1999.