Interpenetrating Polymer Networks with Stable Second Order Nonlinear Optical Properties

Abstract

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on polyurethane and polyacrylate-containing 4-(4'-nitrophenylazo) aniline chromophore groups were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectra, gel content and differential scanning calorimetry. Thin, transparent films of the IPNs were prepared by spin-coating, followed by thermal curing and corona poling. The poled IPN film shows very good optical properties and exhibits only one glass transition temperature. The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the poled film were studied by visible light absorbance measurement according to one-dimensional rigid oriented gas model. The second-order nonlinear optical polarizability can reach 10-7 e.s.u. The poled IPN film of defined composition showed a good temporal stability of NLO properties at 120°C for more than 160 hr.