Simultaneous process of embossing and poling at elevated temperatures: a simple technique for nonlinear grating formation in polymer films

A simple technique for fabrication of nonlinear gratings in polymer films, based on simultaneous embossing and poling, is proposed and demonstrated. A master grating consisting of a metal electrode with a dielectric die was f abricated and used for repeated embossing of the grating structures into no nlinear optical polymers at elevated temperatures. At the same time, we app lied high voltage to the polymer films to induce second-order nonlinearity. The grating profile and the nonlinearity were estimated, as well as the ma ss productivity of nonlinear gratings. (C) 2000 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 050.1950, 310.1860, 310.3840, 160.5470, 160.4330.