Temporal stability of the electro-optic effect in poled polymethacrylate and polynaphthalate bearing methylsulfonyl benzothiazolyl azo dyes below the glass transition temperature

We synthesized second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers for studying the structural effect on the electro-optic (E/O) properties. A heterocyclic azo chromophore was synthesized to be tethered to the methacrylate and naphthalate polymer backbones. Particularly, 2-amino-6-methylsulfonylbenzothiazole was employed to prepare the NLO azo chromophore. The real time pole and probe method was employed to investigate the change of the poled order during poling. The increasing rates of the E/O effect were considered in two polymer systems during poling. The decaying behaviors of the electro-optic signal were observed at different temperatures below the glass transition temperature. The decaying rates of the E/O effect were compared and the effect of structural difference was investigated.