Nonlinear optical properties of copolyesters containing azobenzene functionality and chiral groups

The synthesis and characterization of a series of new copolyesters containing azo mesogenic groups and chiral building blocks are reported. The polyesters were prepared by the condensation of bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)azo 2,2'- dinitro(3,5,3',5'-tetramethyl)diphenylmethane, terephthaloyl chloride and 1,4;3,6-dianhydro-D-sorbitol. The polysters showed higher thermal and photochemical stability with high values of glass transition temperature. DSC studies showed liquid crystalline behavior over a wide range. High values of second order nonlinear susceptibilities were recorded as a function of the molar proportion of isosorbide units.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.