Novel experimental protocol for studying temporal decay of second-order nonlinear optical polymer properties: quantitative analysis of coupling to polymer dynamics and conditions for temporal stability. Dhinojwala, Ali; Hooker, Jacob C.; Torkelson, John M. Dep. Chem. Eng., Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL, USA. Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. (1994), 328(Electrical, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Organic Solid State Materials), 443-8. CODEN: MRSPDH ISSN: 0272-9172. Journal written in English. CAN 121:281597 AN 1994:681597 CAPLUS

A new exptl. approach has been developed which allows characterization of rotational dynamics of nonlinear optical property (NLO) chromophores in amorphous polymers over 12 decades in time, from 10-6 to 106 s. Measurements over such a broad distribution in relaxation times are important not only in detg. how the chromophore orientational dynamics are coupled to polymer dynamics but also in making accurate predictions of the temporal stability of technol. interest. In particular, accurate characterization over a broad range of time scales reveals that NLO polymers meet technol. requirements more easily than is predicted using a less complete characterization. Exptl. results for PMMA, poly(Et methacrylate), poly(iso-Bu methacrylate), and polystyrene contg. Disperse Red 1 dye are reported.