Detailed Studies on a New Conjugated Photorefractive Polymer

A novel photorefractive polymer containing a conjugated backbone and a second-order nonlinear optical chromophore has been investigated. Detailed studies including photoconductivity, carrier mobility, and the grating formation demonstrated the photorefractive nature of the polymer. A large optical gain of 5.9 cm-1 was observed under a zero-external field. Investigations of the grating phase in this polymer revealed features of the refractive index grating and the absorption grating. Several experimental results suggested that an internal field existed in the PR polymer. This internal field assisted charge separation and enhanced the photorefractivity.