Electro-Optic Effects and Second-Harmonic Generation in Corona- Poled Polymer Films.

The electro-optic and second-harmonic coefficients of thin films of a new copolymer containing a dicyanovinyl-terminated azo dye side chain are determined. Orientational order was imparted to these films by poling with a corona discharge. Details of the electro-optic measurement technique, where the real part of the electro-optic coefficient can be determined directly, are presented. Combining the technique of corona poling with the hindered motion of the nonlinear optical moiety in the side chain of the polymer leads to substantial improvements in the nonlinear optical susceptibilities, both in magnitude and in stability, compared to guest-host polymer systems ordered by electrode poling.