Abstract

A series of photorefractive polymethacrylates, containing a Disperse Red type chromophore and carbazole as charge transport agent with various spacer lengths, was synthesized and characterized. The photorefractive effect of these materials was studied by four-wave mixing and two beam-coupling at 780 nm after sensitization with 1 wt% TNFM. We have found a gain coefficient of Γ = 140 cm⁻¹ at an applied electric field of 60 V µm⁻¹ and complete internal diffraction at an applied electric field of 52 V µm⁻¹. For fully functionalized photorefractive polymers, these values rank among the highest reported up to date.