NEW CLASS OF HIGH HYPERPOLARIZABILITY ORGANIC CHROMOPHORES AND PROCESS FOR SYNTHESIZING THE SAME

摘要

A new class of high hyperpolarizability organic chromophores and a process for synthesizing the same. The chromophores incorporate at least one organic substituent and are formed in consideration of molecular shapes and a spatial anisotropy of intermolecular interactions. The chromophores are processed into hardened material lattices to lock-in poling induced electric-optic activity. Preferred organic substituents are alkyl, aryl, and isophorone groups. A composite including the organic chromophore, in a preferred embodiment, includes a polymer such as a poly(methylmethacrylate), polyimide, polyamic acid, polystyrene, polycarbonate or polyurethane. The optimized chromophores result in hardened electro-optic polymers suitable for electro-optic modulators and other devices such as optical switches. These modulators can be configured to work at high frequencies and in arrays for applications in communications and network connections. In addition, they can be implemented in series and parallel combinations in phased array radar, signal processing and sensor technology applications.