Z-scan and degenerate four wave mixing studies on newly synthesized copolymers containing alternating substituted thiophene and 1,3,4-oxadiazole units

Abstract

The third-order nonlinear optical properties of newly synthesized copolymers containing alternating substituted thiophene and 1,3,4-oxadiazole units have been studied in DMF solution at 532 nm by using single beam Z-scan and degenerate four wave mixing techniques with nanosecond laser pulses. The variation of nonlinear response among the copolymers clearly indicates the dependence of ?(3) on donor and acceptor type of units present in the copolymers. The nonlinear refractive index, n<inf>2</inf>, of the investigated copolymers is found to be negative and the magnitude is as high as 10-10 esu. All samples exhibit strong reverse saturation absorption at the wavelength used and show good optical limiting of nanosecond pulses. The concentration dependence of n<inf>2</inf> and the two-photon absorption coefficient (?) has been studied. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.