Preparation of polymer optical fibers doped with nonlinear optical active organic chromophores

We synthesized two novel organic nonlinear optical chromophores-chiral S(+) -N-[p-(4-nitrostyryl) phenyl] prolinol and non-chiral [p-(4-nitrostyryl) ph enyl] piperdine-as potential laser-active dyes for photonic applications. B oth materials show good optical transmittance in the telecommunication freq uency region, desirable solubility in acrylic polymer optical fiber matrice s, and attractive fluorescence properties that are advantageous for laser-g ain materials and devices. Subsequently, these two chromophores were incorp orated into poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(ethyl methacrylate) and draw n into polymer optical fibers. The relevant properties of these organic dye -doped fibers have been studied, revealing essential attributes of laser-ac tive characteristics. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.