Enhanced electro-optic poling in guest–host systems using conductive polymer-based cladding layers

Abstract

We report on the development of conductive polymer-based cladding layers for use in multilayered electro-optic (EO) device structures. The waveguide claddings used in these studies were based on blends formed from the conductive polymer poly (ethylene dioxythiophene) with poly (vinylalcohol). Thin films of the blended materials were spun to form cladding layers having tunable conductivity and optical absorption. We tested these materials using a well-known guest–host core layer to determine their effect on the polar alignment of second order nonlinear optical chromophores. The claddings tested were shown to provide a large effective poling field across the active layer, and thus produced larger EO coefficients than systems having comparable, but more highly resistive, claddings.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and Its Derivatives: Past, Present, and Future

“…Blends of PEDT/PSS with poly(vinyl alcohol) have been used to provide a large effective poling field across a nonlinear optical (NLO) active layer, which is required for dipole orientation. [66] Using electrochemical polymerization methods, careful control of polymerization conditions (concentration, temperature, electrode materials, etc.) allows the preparation of free-standing PEDT films using a variety of dopant anions.…”

Benzocyclobutene barrier layer for suppressing conductance in nonlinear optical devices during electric field poling

“…Among these, TiO 2 has emerged as one of the most successful barrier layer materials to address high conductance problems. [6][7][8][9] However, even with a TiO 2 layer, current leakage remains one to two orders of magnitude larger than the baseline current prior to poling. 9 This implies that the poling field is reduced during the poling process in spite of the TiO 2 layer, leading to less than optimal r 33 values.…”

Closed-form Maker fringe formulas for poled polymer thin films in multilayer structures

“…For transmission type Maker fringe experiments, the top electrode layer on a NLO film, typically gold for contact poling and reflective EO measurement, should be removed after the poling process using an appropriate etchant. The buffer layer might be a protection layer for efficient poling [20] or residual metal owing to imperfect etching. In the following analysis, SHG from interfaces or metal is assumed to be negligible compared with that from the poled polymer thin film.…”