Second order nonlinear optical properties of poled polymeric thin Films

In this thesis the electrical poling and second order non-linear optical, NLO properties of guest-host, side-chain and main-chain polymers are studied. In bisphenol-A polycarbonate, BPA-PC guest-host systems an enhancement in both the thermal stability and linear electro-optic coefficient can be observed. This can occur in guest- host systems where hydrogen bonding can arise. One example is DAN/BPA-PC guest- host polymer. In side-chain materials a commercially available polymer P-4VP can be poled. This material shows moderate electro-optic response following poling. A novel main-chain type material, where the NLO group is rigidly bonded to the main-chain in a 'V shape is studied for its poling and second-order NLO properties. The rigidity of the polymer is so high that only chain-end groups contribute to the response.