Nonlinear optical properties of chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) using the Z-scan technique

The linear and nonlinear optical behavior of novel sulfur based polymer materials are evaluated at the optical communication wavelength, 1550 nm. These polymers are attractive for near-IR (NIR) and mid-IR applications. The two photon absorption (TPA) coefficient (β) and second order refractive index (n₂) of chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) from poly(sulfur-random-(1,3-diisopropenylbenzen) (poly(S-r-DIB)) are measured via the Z-scan technique. In this study, we investigated the linear and nonlinear optical behavior of two types of CHIPs where the weight percentage of sulfur is varied (poly(S_50%-r-DIB_50%) and poly(S_70%-r-DIB_30%)). The TPA coefficients for poly(S_50%-r-DIB_50%) and poly(S_70%-r-DIB_30%) obtained were 0.11 cm/GW and 0.063 cm/GW, respectively. The n₂ for poly(S_50%-r-DIB_50%) and poly(S_70%-r-DIB_30%) was measured and determined to be 2.45 × 10^-15 cm²/W and 3.06 × 10^-15 cm²/W, respectively, and are in good agreement with Miller's rule prediction. These materials exhibit low cost, low temperature processing, high transparency in the near to mid-IR range (except a few interval ranges) and relatively high refractive index, providing a unique set of properties for optics and photonics device applications.