Temporal stability of the electro-optic effect in poled polymethacrylate and polynaphthalate bearing methylsulfonyl benzothiazolyl azo dyes below theglass transition temperature

We synthesized second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers for studying t he structural effect on the electro-optic (E/O) properties. A heterocyclic azo chromophore was synthesized to be tethered to the methacrylate and naph thalate polymer backbones. Particularly, 2-amino-6-methylsulfonylbenzothiaz ole was employed to prepare the NLO azo chromophore. The real time pole and probe method was employed to investigate the change of the poled order dur ing poling. The increasing rates of the E/O effect were considered in two p olymer systems during poling. The decaying behaviors of the electro-optic s ignal were observed at different temperatures below the glass transition te mperature. The decaying rates of the E/O effect were compared and the effec t of structural difference was investigated. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.