Molecular design of new chromophores for high performance poled polymers

Based on the principles of molecular engineering, a series of new chromopho res with high second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) activities have been des igned for achieving a trade-off of the nonlinearity-transparency-thermal st ability. The NLO properties of these chromophores have been investigated th eoretically by employing the AM1/Finite Field approach. It is found that th e calculated mu beta(0) values of some designed chromophores can reach the magnitude of 10(-45) esu, and the highest decomposition temperature T-d can be as high as 377 degrees C, the highest glass transition temperature T-g of their donor-embedded addition-type polymides can be as high as 324 degre es C.