A poled and cross-linked nonlinear optically active polymer was prepared from 4-{[2'-methyl-4'-nitro-5'-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)azo}-N,N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylaniline and multifunctional isocyanates. After an initial 5% loss in nonlinearity of this polyurethane immediately after poling, the polar alignment was unchanged even after 1000 h at 100 degrees C. The polymer displayed a stable electrooptic coefficient (r(33)) Of 9.4 pm/V.