New azobenzene non-linear optical materials for eye and sensor protection

The synthesis and properties of poly(methylmethacrylate) films containing new azobenzene materials with potential applications in eye and sensor protection devices are reported. These films offer both improved wavelength coverage and optically-induced anisotropy compared to a commercially available azo dye, disperse red-1. Films with added diethyl phthalate plasticizer exhibit enhanced optical characteristics, as evidenced by the relatively faster response time in a pump–probe experiment. Plasticized polymer films showed good mechanical, thermal and optical stability.