Donor-Embedded Nonlinear Optical Side Chain Polyimides Containing No Flexible Tether: Materials of Exceptional Thermal Stability for Electrooptic Applications

We describe here the preparation and characterization of the first processible nonlinear optical (NLO) polyimide where the chromophore is not incorporated using a flexible tether functionality. The polymer has a very high glass temperature and shows exceptional thermal and chemical stability. Poled samples also show outstanding orientational stability, consistent in part with the high glass transition temperature. © 1995, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.