Device-quality second-order nonlinear optical poly(ester-imide) for electro-optic applications

Abstract A side-chain second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) poly(ester-imide) (PEI) possessing good organo-solubility, excellent film-forming property, high glass transition temperature (186 °C) and high thermal stability was synthesized. The NLO chromophore orientation in the polymer film achieved via corona poling showed high long-term stability at elevated temperatures up to 120 °C. A reflective electro-optic (EO) light modulator using this polymer as the EO material was fabricated and encoded electrical signals onto reflected light successfully. The EO coefficient γ33 of the PEI layer in the EO modulator was determined to be 11.5 pm/V at 650 nm by an improved attenuated-total-reflection method.