Novel nonlinear optical materials based on dihydropyridine organic chromophore deposited on mica substrate

We have synthesized novel composites based on a 1-methyl-4-[2-(3-methoxy-4-oxocyclohexadienyliden)ethyliden]-1,4-dihydropyridine chromophore incorporated into a polymer PMMA host (weight content of 7.5%) deposited on the mica substrate. In the result of simultaneous application of external dc-electric field and thermal heating we have measured values of second order optical effect of about 122 pm/V at 1,064 nm fundamental laser wavelength. This effect show very weak reversibility after the dc-field switching off. Optical properties of the embedded compound were elucidated by means of IR–LD spectroscopy of oriented colloids in nematic host. UV-spectroscopy, 1H- and 13C-NMR methods were also used. Quantum chemical calculations have been carried out in order to describe electronic structure and optical properties.