Polymers having pendant nonlinear optical chromophores and electro-optic devices therefrom
View Patent ↗A nonlinear optical chromophore having the formula D-π-A, wherein π is a π bridge including a thiophene ring having oxygen atoms bonded directly to the 3 and 4 positions of the thiophene ring, D is a donor, and A is an acceptor.
1. A composition comprising a linear polymer, the linear polymer comprising pendant chromophores having the formula D-π-A, wherein π is a π bridge including a thiophene ring having oxygen atoms bonded directly to the 3 and 4 positions of the thiophene ring, D is a donor, and A is an acceptor.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the oxygen atoms are independently substituted with an alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group.
3. A composition comprising a linear polymer, the linear polymer comprising pendant chromophores having the formula:
wherein, independently at each occurrence: π 1 is absent or a π-bridge; π 2 is absent or a π-bridge; D is an donor; A is an acceptor; X is O or S; and R is an alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroaryl group.
4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the donor is selected from the group consisting of:
and the acceptor is selected from the group consisting of
wherein independently at each occurrence: R 1 is hydrogen, a halogen except when bonded to a carbon alpha to or directly to a nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, or an alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroaryl group; R 2 is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroaryl group; Y is O, S or Se; m is 2, 3 or 4; p is 0, 1 or 2; and q is 0 or 1.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the donor is selected from the group consisting of
wherein, independently at each occurrence: R 1 is hydrogen, a halogen except when bonded to a carbon alpha to or directly to a nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, or an alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroaryl group; and R 2 is hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroaryl group.
6. The composition of claim 3 , wherein each X is oxygen and each R group is an alkyl group.
7. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the polymer further comprises pendant crosslinkable groups.
8. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the chromophore further comprises at least one crosslinkable group.
9. An electro-optic device, comprising the composition of claim 1 .
10. The electro-optic device of claim 9 , wherein the electro-optic device is selected from the group consisting of an optical modulator, an optical switch, and an optical directional coupler.
11. The electro-optic device of claim 9 , comprising: 1) an input waveguide; 2) an output waveguide; 3) a first leg having a first end and a second end, the first leg being coupled to the input waveguide at the first end and to the output waveguide at the second end; and 4) and a second leg having a first end and a second end, the second leg being coupled to the input waveguide at the first end and to the output waveguide at the second end.
12. The electro-optic device of claim 9 , comprising: 1) an input; 2) an output; 3) a first waveguide extending between the input and output; and 4) a second waveguide aligned to the first waveguide and positioned for evanescent coupling to the first waveguide.
13. An optical router including the electro-optic device of claim 9 .
14. A communications system including at least one electro-optic device of claim 9 .
15. A method of data transmission comprising transmitting light through the composition of claim 1 .
16. A method of telecommunication comprising transmitting light through the composition of claim 1 .
17. A method of transmitting light comprising directing light through or via the composition of claim 1 .
18. A method of routing light through an optical system comprising transmitting light through or via the composition of claim 1 .
19. A phased array radar system comprising the composition of claim 1 .