Synthesis and characterization of thiazole-containing chromophores for second-order nonlinear optics

Abstract

Push-pull thiazole-containing nonlinear optical chromophores with dicyanovinyl and tricyanovinyl accepters, along with their thiophene analogs, have been synthesized and characterized. The onset temperatures of thermal decomposition of these chromophores determined by DSC are:above;240 degrees C. The;redox properties of the chromophores were studied by cyclic voltammetry and the results reveal the electron-deficient (thiazole) and electron-excessive (thiophene) nature of the heterocycles. Experimental measurements of second-order nonlinear optical response (mu.beta) indicate that the combination of either,a thiazole or thiophene conjugating,unit and a tricyanovinyl acceptor results in a nonlinear optical chromephore exhibiting substantial molecular hyperpolarizability (mu.beta ca 7000 x 10(-48) cm(6) at 1907 nm).