Novel, side-on, PVK-based nonlinear optical polymers: Synthesis and NLO properties

A novel, poly(vinylcarbazole)-based nonlinear optical polymer (side-on type), in which the chromophore was attached to the polymer backbone at the centre of the D-π-A bridge, was synthesized conveniently via the post-Knoevenagel condensation reaction. The structure of chromophore was further modified by the introduction of an isolation spacer (carbazole group) to improve poling efficiency. The ensuing polymer displayed good solubility and high thermal stability and its poled film exhibited a relatively large d33 value of ≤56.0 pm/V.