A novel class of high-performance perfluorocyclobutane-containing polymers for second-order nonlinear optics

A series of novel second-order nonlinear opitcal (NLO) thermoset polymers containing silicon-perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) has been developed. The synthesis was accomplished using the cross-linking reaction between the di(trifluorovinylether)-containing NLO chromophores and the tris(trifluorovinylether) monomer in a solid state at 180-250 °C. The preliminary results have indicated these polymers to possess excellent processability, low optical loss, and a combination of the highly desirable thermal, non-linear optical, and mechanical properties.