A Novel Class of High-Performance Perfluorocyclobutane-Containing Polymers for Second-Order Nonlinear Optics

A series of novel second-order nonlinear opitcal (NLO) thermoset polymers containing silicon-perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) has been developed. The synthesis was accomplished using the cross-linking reaction between the di(trifluorovinylether)-containing NLO chromophores and the tris(trifluorovinylether) monomer in a solid state at 180−250 °C. The preliminary results have indicated these polymers to possess excellent processability, low optical loss, and a combination of the highly desirable thermal, nonlinear optical, and mechanical properties.