Thermally stable cross-linked polymers for electro-optic applications

The electro-optic properties of a new variety of cross-linked polymer referred to as Red-acid Magly are being reported. Its linear and nonlinear optical properties are characterized in comparison with the classical side-chain polymer DR1-MMA. The combined curing and poling processes are optimized so as to improve the thermal stability of the nonlinear optical properties. Polymer films are shown to sustain a high electro-optic coefficient of 12 pm/V at 1.32$~\mu$m during several weeks at 85 °C. An electro-optic phase modulator based on this polymer has been fabricated and demonstrated