Photostable nonlinear optical polycarbonates

Abstract

Highly thermal and photostable nonlinear optical polymers were obtained by covalently incorporating the tricyanovinylidenediphenylaminobenzene (TCVDPA) chromophore to a polycarbonate backbone. NLO polycarbonates with different chromophore attachment modes and flexibilities were synthesized. In spite of the high loading levels (ranging from 33.1 to 39.8 wt%), the polymers exhibit T_gs as high as 215 °C, representing a significant improvement of over 100 °C of the material T_g compared with that of the guest–host system containing the same chromophore at similar high loadings. EO coefficients up to 33 pm V⁻¹ at 830 nm were achieved, and a good temporal stability of the dipole alignment at 50 °C was observed.