Polymeric electro-optic phase modulator

Optical nonlinearity and waveguide propagation has been measured by a number of techniques for two side-chain nonlinear optical polymer systems in thin films. The two chromophores, disperse red 1 and nitro amino tolane, were each attached to the poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) backbone. From these detailed characterizations of the materials, phase modulator devices were constructed and operated on TV signals at approximately 200 MHz. The results on the physical measurements and the device characteristics will be described.