Nonlinear optical chromophores having short-chain bridge structures, low optical loss materials containing the same, and methods for preparing the same
AssigneeLightwave Logic, Inc.
InventorsCory Pecinovsky, Barry Johnson, Ginelle A. Ramann, Baoquan Chen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Nonlinear optical chromophores are provided that have a short chain bridging group between donor and acceptor, which chromophores exhibit lowered λmax values and narrow absorption bands. Electro-optic films prepared from nonlinear optical chromophores provided have enhanced transparency to wavelengths outside of the narrow absorption bands, as well as low optic loss, high thermal stability, and high photostability.
Claims13
A composition for preparing an electro-optic film exhibiting one or more optimized optic characteristics, the composition comprising a nonlinear optical chromophore and a polar solvent,
- wherein the nonlinear optical chromophore has a general formula (I):
- D-Π-A (I)
- wherein D represents an organic electron-donating group;
- A represents an organic electron-accepting group having an electron affinity greater than the electron affinity of D;
- and Π represents a Π-bridge between A and D;
- wherein the Π-bridge comprises a carbon chain covalently bound to and separating A and D, wherein the carbon chain between A and D is 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the 2 to 4 carbon atom chain comprises up to 2 carbon-carbon double bonds and up to 4 pendant substituents;
- and
- wherein the organic electron-denoating group is a substituted or unsubstituted tetrahydroquinoline group;
- wherein the polar solvent is adapted to promote high material hyperpolarizability in the electro-optic film, wherein the high material hyperpolarizability is characterized by an electro-optic coefficient of 20 pm/V or greater when measured at a wavelength greater than or equal to 1000 nm;
- wherein the nonlinear optical chromophore exhibits a λmax value less than or equal to 800 nm, and
- wherein the nonlinear optical chromophore exhibits a Δλmax value greater than or equal to 30 nm compared to an analog in a nonpolar solvent.
A composition for preparing an electro-optic film exhibiting one or more optimized optic characteristics, the composition comprising a nonlinear optical chromophore and a polar solvent,
- wherein the nonlinear optical chromophore has a general formula (I):
- D-Π-A (I)
- wherein D represents an organic electron-donating group;
- A represents an organic electron-accepting group having an electron affinity greater than the electron affinity of D;
- and Π represents a Π- bridge between A and D;
- wherein the Π-bridge comprises a carbon chain covalently bound to and separating A and D, wherein the carbon chain between A and D is 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the 2 to 4 carbon atom chain comprises up to 2 carbon-carbon double bonds and up to 4 pendant substituents;
- and
- wherein the polar solvent is a dichloromethane (DCM) solvent adapted to promote high material hyperpolarizability in the electro-optic film, wherein the high material hyperpolarizability is characterized by an electro-optic coefficient of 20 pm/V or greater when measured at a wavelength greater than or equal to 1000 nm;
- wherein the nonlinear optical chromophore exhibits a λmax value less than or equal to 800 nm, and
- wherein the nonlinear optical chromophore exhibits a Δλmax value greater than or equal to 30 nm compared to an analog in a nonpolar solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.