Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 February 2011
We have developed a novel class of double-end crosslinkable (DEC) chromophores. Processible side-chain nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers with crosslinkable groups at the ends of chromophore pendants were synthesized from DEC Monomers. The polymers were processed into good quality films, which were subsequently poled with a corona setup and thermally cured to attain stable noncentrosymmetric order. Using this DEC approach, we have realized large optical nonlinearities (χ(2) = 90–220 pm/V) with long term stability at 125 °C.