Evidence for the applicability of a novel procedure (swelling–poling–deswelling) to produce a stable alignment of second order NLO-chromophores covalently attached to a cross-linked PMMA or polystyrene polymeric network

The "swelling-poling-deswelling" technique is a new procedure of poling crosslinked polymeric network carrying covalently attached NLO (nonlinear optical) chromophores. It is based upon a solvent-swollen crosslinked polymeric network before submission to poling. Under electrical poling, the matrix is deswelled without heating above the polymer Tg (glass transition temperature) obtaining a significant improvement of the stabilization of the alignment of the chromophores and therefore of the SHG (second harmonic generation). We determined the d33 values of DR1 chromophore linked in different manner to PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) and polystyrene. Crosslinked PMMA gives very good results, in fact the 40% of the d33 value remains after 4 months respect to d33 evaluated a couple of hours after poling. Interestingly the same stability in the time of the d33 is observed with the crosslinked polystyrene matrix. In terms of d33 after poling, the two systems carrying DR1 (Disperse Red 1) moieties covalently attached to the polystyrene matrix (side-chain and crosslinked) behave in a similar manner, but in terms of stability, the linear polymeric system is the best (75%), higher than all systems investigated.