Photorefractive composites with high-band-gap second-order nonlinear optical chromophores

A series of photorefractive composite materials has been developed in which an inert polymer has been doped with second-order nonlinear optical chromophores, charge transporting agents, and photocharge generation sensitizers. The composites show high photoconductivity, large photorefractive responses, and optical transparency at many wavelengths. Photorefractivity has been demonstrated at wavelengths of 633, 514.5, and 488 nm, with net two-beam coupling gains. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.