Optically Switchable Conductive Polymers

Organic polymers will play a key role in optical processing by spatial light modulation, information storage, and optical bistability. This project will develop the first examples of polymers in which light induces persistent changes in optical absorption, electronic conductivity, and refractive index, all potentially on the time scale of electronic motion. The polymer should also exhibit strong nonlinear optical properties due to its projected high conjugation and donor-acceptor character. They will be less expensive and offer more structural flexibility than inorganic crystal materials. Phase I will evaluate changes in electro-optical properties of derived thiophene monomers when photodoped by exposure to UV radiation. Molecular engineering of the material in Phase II will lead to an optically reversible, two-wavelength system for incorporation into optical processing devices.