Development of polymeric electro-optic materials for practical device fabrication

Polymeric electro-optical modulators have the advantages in bandwidth, driving voltage, and cost over lithium niobate modulator for potential industrial, military and space applications. There are strict requirements on electro-optical polymer materials to be used for practical device fabrication: large EO response, high thermal and photochemical stability, low optical loss, high long-term stability and good processibility. Lots of progress in material design, modification and optimization has been made based on theoretical calculation and actual material processing. However it is very challenging to put all good properties into one material. We report the development of a chromophore series based on 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene structure and two host polymers based on 4,4'-(3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylidene) diphenol monomer. EO activity and optical loss at different chromophore loadings were systematically studied and compared on various guest/host combinations. Specifically, DH-52/APC system was compared with DH-6/APC system, showing improved overall electrical and optical properties. LP-116, with higher glass transition temperature than that of APC, exhibits excellent mechanical property and compatibility with various chromophore guests. Especially, DH-67/LP- 116 has optical loss of 0.87 dB/cm. This indicates that LP-116 can substitute APC as an improved host polymer and DH- 52/LP-116 is highly feasible for the fabrication of EO devices with enhanced performance.

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