STUDY OF 3RD-ORDER OPTICAL NONLINEARITY AND ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTIVITY OF SOL-GEL PROCESSED SILICA - POLY(2-BROMO-5-METHOXY-PARA-PHENYLENE VINYLENE) COMPOSITE

Abstract

A novel sol-gel processed silica: poly(2-bromo-5-methoxy-p-phenylene vinylene)/silica composite was prepared using a soluble precursor. The optical properties of this material have been investigated using u.v.-visible and FTi.r. spectroscopy. The densification process was monitored by d.s.c. and t.g.a. The third-order non-linear susceptibility chi(3) has been investigated for both the pure polymer and its sol-gel composite at 602 nm using femtosecond degenerate four-wave mixing. A relatively large chi(3) value with a subpicosecond response is observed. The electrical conductivities of AsF5 doped polymer and composite films were studied using four-probe measurement.