Processing of Novel Chromophores for Electro-Optic Applications

摘要

Our program involves development and applications of second-order opticalmaterials which are also multifunctional. We specifically focused on applications in electro-optic modulation and photorefracitivity. Our effort has focused on developing electro-optic chromophores which offer extended transparency in the visible (to 633 nm), large r-coefficient, as well as high thermal and temporal stability of electrically poled alignment. In order to further improve on optical losses in the visible range (633nm), enhance thermal stability, and achieve a better control of the poling process, we have made chemical modifications and synthesized a related chromophore APSAS. This chromophore containing linkable four hydroxy sites, permits the usage of a smaller isocyanate, tolulene diisocyanate, with broader optical transparency, to produce rigid cross-linked polyurethane structures. In addition, we tested waveguide parameters of these chromophores. A waveguide modulator was fabricated using APSS to study processing optimization of this modulator. APSS and APSAS also exhibit multifunctionality: A strong two-photon absorption, photobleaching, and up-converted emission. APSS exhibits photobleaching when illuminated with high peak power femtosecond pulse lasers. Utilizing this photobleaching 3D optical data storage was illustrated with a cartoon video in which each movie frame was stored in layers 5 microns apart. The two-photon exited photosensitization using APSS was also use for a new approach of two-photon photo.