Third-order nonlinear optical studies of newly synthesized polyoxadiazoles containing 3,4-dialkoxythiophenes

Abstract

The third-order nonlinear optical properties of newly synthesized soluble polyoxadiazoles containing 3,4-dialkoxythiophenes were investigated by using Z-scan and degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) techniques. The measurements were performed at 532 nm with 7 ns pulses from a Nd:YAG laser. We found a good agreement between the values of ?(3) determined from both the experiments. Z-scan results indicate a negative nonlinear refractive index, n<inf>2</inf>, whose magnitude is of the order of 10-10 esu for all the copolymers. The variation of nonlinear response among the copolymers clearly indicates the dependence of ?(3) on donor and acceptor type of units present in these copolymers. The copolymers exhibit strong reverse saturable absorption and good optical limiting properties at 532 nm. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.