High performance electro-optic polymers and their applications in high speed electro-optic switches and modulators

Recent progress in the development and application of highly active, highly thermally stable, and low optical loss electro-optic polymers is presented. Nonlinear optical chromophores with large molecular nonlinearities and high thermal and chemical stabilities are covalently attached to optical grade polyimides to form side-chain polymers with electro-optic coefficients as high,oh as 45 pm/V and lifetime over 10(6) hours at 100 degrees C. Cladding polymers with matching optical, mechanical, and electrical properties have been formulated and processed. Using a novel trench-and-fill process, integrated high speed electro-optic switches and modulators have been fabricated and tested.