Electro-optic chromophore having an edot structure, and related methods and apparatuses

A method, comprising:

• a) providing a polymer composite including the structure:
• wherein, independently at each occurrence, π1 is absent or a bridge that provides electronic conjugation between D and the remainder of the molecule;
• π2 is absent or a bridge that provides electronic conjugation between A and the remainder of the molecule;
• D is an electron donating group;
• A is an electron accepting group;
• X is O or S;
• R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroalkyl;
• n=1-4;
• and the two R groups join together to form a heterocyclic ring including both X groups;
• and
• b) poling the polymer under an electric field to induce electro-optic activity.

A method, comprising

• a) passing light through an electro-optic polymer having a variable index of refraction;
• and
• b) applying a voltage to the electro-optic polymer so that the index of refraction changes;
• and
• wherein the electro-optic polymer includes the structure:
• wherein, independently at each occurrence, π1 is absent or a bridge that provides electronic conjugation between D and the remainder of the molecule;
• π2 is absent or a bridge that provides electronic conjugation between A and the remainder of the molecule;
• D is an electron donating group;
• A is an electron accepting group;
• X is O or S;
• R is alkyl, aryl, or heteroalkyl;
• n=1-4;
• and the two R groups join together to form a heterocyclic ring including both X groups.