Synthesis and electrooptic properties of side-chain methacrylate polymers containing a new azophenylbenzoxazole chromophore

The synthesis and characterization of four methacrylate copolymers obtained by radical addition polymerization of methyl methacrylate as well as a new methacrylate azophenylbenzoxazole chromophore in percentages of 10, 30, 50 , and 70% were explored. The copolymers were amorphous and showed glass-tra nsition temperatures ranging from 132 to 146 degreesC. High-quality polymer films were easily obtained by spin coating from N-methylpyrrolidone soluti ons. Polymer films spun cast on iridium tin oxide (ITO) substrates were use d in the electro-optic (EO) experiments to evaluate the EO coefficients r(3 3) using the reflection technique. The measured values fell in the range of 1.7-3.7 pm/V (laser incident wavelength of 1.552 mum) depending on the per centage of chromophore in the polymer. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.