Waveguide photodegradation of nonlinear optical organic chromophores in polymeric films

Waveguide photodegradation studies have been carried out to investigate the photostabilities of a series of nonlinear optical chromophores doped into poly(methyl methacrylate) waveguide films. The films were exposed to optica l wavelengths lying either within these materials' main absorption bands or in the near-infrared region. Degradation studies were carried out in air, vacuum, and nitrogen environments at room temperature. Experimental results indicate that the principal photodegradation mechanism in operation is pho to-oxidation. A simple analytical model indicated the relative sensitivity to photo-oxidation of the materials studied. (C) 2000 Optical Society of Am erica. OCIS codes: 160.4890, 160.4330, 310.2790, 310.6860, 350.5130.