3RD-ORDER NONLINEAR OPTICAL-PROPERTIES OF AZO DYE ATTACHED POLYMERS

Third-order nonlinear optical properties of a disazo dye attached polymer (3R) were evaluated and compared with that of a monoazo (Disperse Red 1) dye attached polymer (2R). The third-order nonlinear optical coefficient (ξ(3)) of the 3R is more than three times higher than that of the 2R over the fundamental wavelengths between 1.5 and 2.0 μm. This is explained by π-conjugation elongation. For both polymers, the ξ(3) dependence on the fundamental wavelength corresponds to their absorption spectra. This is attributable to a three-photon resonance effect. At the 1.50 μm resonant wavelength, the maximum ξ(3) of 4.8 × 10-11 esu is obtained for 3R at a dye content of 17 mol%. © 1990.