Synthesis, Characterization, and Optical Properties of Inorganic Polymer Films

ABSTRACTThe linear and non-linear optical response of phosphazene and siloxane polymers and cyclic precursors is influenced by the nature of chemical groups substituted onto the heteronuclear backbone chains. Polymer mechanical properties, chemical stability, and solubility also are affected. Significant variations in both second and third order susceptibilities have been measured for various substituted phosphazene materials. The electron donating tendency of substitutional groups appears to correlate with the measured non-linear optical properties determined by SHG and DFWM experiments in these systems where d¦-p¦ bonding along the polymer chain is important. Approaches to the synthesis, and deposition of these materials as thin films will be discussed. Variations in optical properties are highlighted for several model systems in terms of substitutional group perturbation to the chemical bonding between the chain heteroatoms.