Nanostructured functional dendrimers and polymers for photonics

Compared to conventional molecular design for organic NLO materials, the concept of using nanoscale architectural control to tailor the size, shape. conformation, and functionality of NLO chromophores and macromolecules provides a great opportunity for simultaneous optimization of macroscopic electro-optic activity, thermal stability, and optical loss. All the results discussed in this review are extremely encouraging and this new approach may help to launch a new paradigm for the molecular engineering of next generation high-performance E-O materials. (C) 2003 Published by Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS on behalf of Academie des sciences.