Stabilization Of Bipolaronic States In Ladder Polymer Models: Implications For Polymers Having Enhanced Nonlinear Optical Properties

The chemistry and physics of highly delocalized electroactive polymers has been an area of great interest over the past decade, but it has recently become apparent that the unique nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of these polymers may be their most important characteristic. Ladder polymers have excellent thermal and chemical stability, and have recently been shown to exhibit high third order nonlinear properties. In this study we would like to report how bipolaronic states can be induced in model ladder structures related to PTL and POL systems, and how these results might indicate future polymer design criteria to control and maximize third order NLO behavior and absorption characteristics.