Design, Characterization, and Optical Properties of Phosphazene-Based Polymers

Abstract

Physical properties intrinsic to linear inorganic polymer systems can be modified through replacement of chemical groups external to the chain backbone. This substitution also perturbs chemical bonding along the chain which can further influence polymer properties. Several phosphazene polymers deposited as thin dielectric films exhibit extended ultraviolet transmission. Second harmonic generation (SHG) has been observed in these polymers as well as in cyclic polymer precursors. The relative magnitude of SHG is found to correlate both with the nature of the substitutional group and molecular conformation. Influence of these parameters on substrate-film adhesion and measured optical properties is discussed in terms of substitutional group electronegativity, and electronic charge localization in the polymer chain which is probed using molecular spectroscopic techniques.