Nonlinear optical characterization of H-bonded chromophores in linear-dendritic block copolymers

A linear-dendritic block copolymer was synthesized by end-functionalizing PMMA homopolymer with dendrons that acted as H-bond acceptors for thiophene-based nonlinear optical chromophores. The polymer forms excellent quality films which can be spin coated and corona poled. Electro-optic measurements show r
₃₃
= 25 pm/V at 1550 nm. The relative simplicity of the H-bonded scheme can be readily extended to more highly nonlinear chromophores.