Stilbazolium based zwitterionic chromophores for electro-optic polymers

Abstract A series of stilbazolium based zwitterionic chromophores was synthesized. They have very large dipole moment (up to μ = 13x10-29 Cm) and high molecular hyperpolarizability (up to β = 135x10-40 m4V-1). Guest-host polymer thin films of the best molecules were prepared and poled by corona discharge. Values of the nonlinear optical coefficient (d31 = 0.7 pm/V. at γ = 1.545 nm) at molecular concentrations of 5x1019 m-3, comparable to that of Disperse Red 1, were obtained. The good molecular characteristics and macroscopic performance of these chromophores combined with their good thermal stability make them promising candidates for side-chain electro-optic polymers.